Gagiyev was accused by prosecutors of having led a criminal group with at least a dozen members from 2007 to 2008 and having organized the killings of several top North Ossetian security officials and bureaucrats, including Vladikavkaz mayor Vitaly Karayev and deputy chairman of the republic's government Kazbek Pagiyev.
Gagiyev, who went by the nickname "Boteh," was charged with arranging killings, attempted murder, premeditated destruction of property, illegal weapons possession, and other crimes.
His defense lawyers said they were planning to appeal the verdict.
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