Rabbi Shot, Wounded In Daghestan

July 25, 2013

In Russia's southern republic of Daghestan, a rabbi has been shot by an unknown assailant and been hospitalized in serious condition.

Daghestan's Interior Ministry says Artur Isakov, 40, was wounded in front of his home in the city of Derbent early on July 25 as he was getting out of his car.

The rabbi received a bullet wound through his chest.

The attacker fled the scene and law enforcement agencies have launched a search.

The website of the Daghestan branch of Russia's Investigative Committee said detectives believe the rabbi was attacked because of his religious activity.

Daghestan has become the most violence-plagued province in Russia's volatile North Caucasus in recent years.

Militants attack police, moderate Muslims, and local officials almost daily, saying they are fighting to create an Islamic state in southern Russia.

Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS and Interfax