Dagestan, is one of Russia’s most diverse regions, with less than 5 percent of the population representing ethnic Russians. Human rights experts also consider it one of the most corrupt. Kamalov wrote at length about the province’s struggles with a growing Islamist population, and the scrutiny and abuse Russian police have subjected them to.
Kamalov is the second journalist from Dagestan to be murdered this year. Yakhya Magomedov, who worked for the Russian Islamic newspaper As-Salam, died May 8 when he was shot four times leaving his home.
IPI has recorded 40 journalist deaths since 2000. While the number of journalists killed in 2011 is lower than preceding years, trends continue to be worrying, and most of the assassins are not prosecuted.
. “We urge authorities both federal and Dagestan to pursue an investigation so that all those involved in this brutal crime are caught, brought to justice and punished,” said Sidorova. “Unfortunately, so far this has never happened here when journalists are killed because of their work.”
This is a matter all journalists across the continent must take notice of. With protests building in Russia’s major cities and presidential elections looming in March, accurate, unbiased, and thorough reporting is of paramount importance. Voters may not be keen on electing former president Vladimir Putin, but they need to have credible information on his opponents. And if he and other members of the United Russia are to be re-elected, it should be because voters had the chance to read and analyze objective information.
