US calls for inquiry in death of Kremlin critic

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States on Tuesday called on Russia to investigate the death of Russian web journalist Magomed Yevloyev while in police custody.

"It's very disturbing," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.

Yevloyev, the publisher of the independent news website Ingushetiya.ru, was detained by local interior ministry officials at Magas airport on Sunday as he was returning to Ingushetia from Moscow.

Ingushetian President Murat Zyazikov was reported to have been on the same airplane as Yevloyev, and having had a heated discussion with him during the flight, the statement said.

According to the police, Yevloyev was "by accident" shot in the temple while being driven in a police car. Yevloyev died in a hospital in Nazran,...