Support The Moscow Times!

Makhachkala Mayor Detained

The mayor of Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, has been detained for two months on suspicion of organizing the murder of an investigator, the Investigative Committee said Saturday.

The corresponding court ruling for Said Amirov's detention was issued on Sunday by Moscow's Basmanny District Court, a day after Amirov himself was taken into custody and transported to Moscow, Interfax reported.

Vladimir Markin, the official spokesman for the Investigative Committee, said investigators would have the charges finalized within 10 days.

Investigators say Amirov organized the killing of an investigator in December 2011; 10 others suspected of involvement have also been detained.

According to Lenta.ru, Amirov's detention was prompted by the testimony of a militant from a guerrilla terrorist group who was arrested during a special operation on May 31.

The Investigative Committee's statement also said all those detained were being questioned in connection with "a variety of other serious and heinous crimes committed on the territory of the republic of Dagestan."  

If charged with organizing an attempt on the life of a person conducting legal proceedings or a preliminary investigation, Amirov faces up to life in prison.

Read more