Evkurov: power agencies can stand behind Maksharip Aushev's murder

President of Ingushetia Yunus-Bek Evkurov has stated that the murder of the well-known local oppositionist and public figure Maksharip Aushev was directed against the republic's leadership, and personally against him.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on October 25 in the Federal Motorway "Kavkaz" Aushev was shelled by unidentified persons from a passing-by car. The oppositionist died in situ.

In his comments on the tragedy, President of Ingushetia said that he himself could not exclude that power agencies of Ingushetia were behind this murder; however, according to his story, the leadership of the republic had nothing to do with this murder, as reported by the "Echo Moskvy" Radio.

In the opinion of the experts who have surveyed the place of the crime, there were at least two attackers and they used two types of firearm.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that earlier Magomed Khazbiev, one of the leaders of Ingush opposition, had accused Evkurov of Aushev's murder.

Kaloy Akhilgov, Mr Evkurov's press-secretary, has rejected Khazbiev's charges with indignation.

"Probably, Khazbiev said it under emotions," said Mr Akhilgov.

According to his story, President "was shocked by this murder", which "is directed towards destabilization of the situation in the republic, and against Evkurov himself." Timur Akiev, head of the Ingush branch of the "Memorial", said that there were no contradictions between Aushev and the present republic's authorities, and "Evkurov consulted with him, they always could talk."

Mr Akiev is also sure that the murder is related with Aushev's human tights activities.

"Most likely, he was killed because of his previous activities during the rule of Zyazikov, when Aushev had acquired many enemies," Timur Akiev believes. Khazbiev also mentioned supporters of the ex-president as his second version of the murder.

"We know that Zyazikov gave money not once for murdering me, Maksharip and Magomed Evloev," said the oppositionist.

See earlier reports: "HRW: Aushev's murder challenges Evkurov's power in Ingushetia," "Mikhalchenko: murdered Maksharip Aushev kept stating that his kidnapping was not investigated," "Maksharip Aushev buried in Ingushetia."