North Ossetia's Supreme Court has sentenced a man to 20 years in prison on charges of killing Vladikavkaz Mayor Vitaly Karayev and seven others in 2008 and 2009, Interfax reported Thursday.
The court ruled that Alexander Dzhussoyev killed the eight as a member of a criminal gang that investigators said was well-connected to local law enforcement officials.
Dzhussoyev had faced up to 80 years in prison but got 20 under a plea bargain.
Karayev was killed in 2008 after less than a year in office.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
