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    March 23, 2012

Dagestan Explosion Kills Muslim Cleric, Bodyguard

   VOA News

   Russian police say an explosion has killed a Muslim cleric and his
   bodyguard in the southern province of Dagestan, in Russia's restive
   Caucasus region.

   Authorities say the cleric, Gitinamohhamed Abudul Gapurov, was walking
   to prayer in the central town of Buinaksk Friday when a
   remote-controlled explosive device detonated.
   Islamist extremists are blamed for fueling violence in Dagestan and
   across the North Caucasus following two separatist battles in
   neighboring Chechnya.
   The rebels are seeking to create a strict Islamic state.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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