Malik Akhmedilov

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] 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 through the German Parliament in 2006 and served as an aide to Margrit Wetzel (SPD).

Akhmedilov was found shot to death in a car on the edge of the Dagestani capital, Makhachkala, on 11 August 2009.^[2] He was 33 years old at the time of his murder. Police believed 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" car without number plates and tinted glasses. They have also stated that had seen the car for several days near the journalist's house.^[4]

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