The head of Daghestan's state TV and radio company was killed in the North Caucasus republic's capital Makhachkala on Friday, local police said.

Gadzhi Abashilov was shot dead in central Makhachkala after unknown gunmen opened fire at his car as he was returning home from work. The victim died instantly, and his driver was hospitalized with gunshot wounds. Investigators are currently working at the scene.

Russian Prosecutor General Yury Chaika said he would take "personal" charge of the murder case. He also told journalists that the investigation will be carried out by a federal operational group.

Abashilov, 58, a former editor-in-chief of Molodezh Dagestana and the republic's deputy minister for information, national policy and foreign relations, took over as head of the Dagestan's State Television and Radio broadcasting company two years ago.

The former head of the company, Taygyb Abdusamadov, was shot and seriously wounded in June 2004. Investigators said the assassination attempt was linked to his professional duties.





Source: RIA