Malik Akhmedilov

Malik Akhmedilov (Russian: Малик Ахмедилов; c. 1976 - August 11, 2009) was a Russian investigative journalist based in the southern Republic of Dagestan.

Akhmedilov was a leading investigative correspondent for the Avar language daily newspaper, Hakikat (ХIакъикъат, also transliterated as Khakikat^[1]) which translates to "The Truth" in English. ^[2] He also worked as the editor in chief of the political monthly, Sogratl (Согратль), which translates as "Mountain Village".^[2] The Sogratl focuses on political issues and civics.^[2]

Akhmedilov was known for his reports on several unsolved assassinations of officials in Dagestan.^[2] In columns in Hakikat, Akhmedilov heavily criticized Russian federal forces and local law enforcement for curbing religious and political freedom under the guise of an "anti-extremism" campaign.^[3]

Akhmedilov was awarded an Internationale Parliaments-Stipendium Fellowship [3] through the German Parliament in 2006 and served as an Aide in the office of Dr. Margrit Wetzel (SPD).

Malik Akhmedilov was found shot to death in a car on the edge of the Dagestani capital, Makhachkala, on August 11, 2009.^[2] He was 33 years old at the time of his murder. Police believe that Akhmedilov was shot at close range with a pistol,^[2] although independent sources have claimed he was shot with a Winchester Rifle ^[4] According to the same source, eyewitnesses assert that the shots were made by unknown persons who got out of a "Zhiguli-10" model car without number plates and tinted glasses. They have also stated that had seen the car for several days near the journalist's house. ^[5]

The killing of Akhmedilov comes after a string of murders of reporters and journalists in Dagestan including that of television journalist Abdulla Alishayev who was assassinated in September 2008.^[2] and two more Dagestani journalists who were killed in March 2009.^[2]

References

1. ^ "Journalist shot dead in Russia's Dagestan-police". Reuters. 2009-08-11. http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSLB724901. Retrieved 2009-08-11. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} "Investigative Journalist Killed in Russia's Dagestan". Radio Free Europe. 2009-08-11. http://www.rferl.org/content/Investigative_Journalist_Killed_in_Russias_Daghestan/1797391.html. Retrieved 2009-08-11. 
3. ^ Editor shot and killed in Dagestan. Committee to Protect Journalists. August 11, 2009
4. ^ [1] Killers of Dagestanian journalist shadowed him for several days, eyewitnesses say.
5. ^ [2] Killers of Dagestanian journalist shadowed him for several days, eyewitnesses say.

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Name	Akhmedilov, Malik
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Date of death	2009
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