SLEPTSOVSK (AFP) - The pro-Moscow mayor of the central Chechnya settlement of Alkhan-Kala, Yusha Tsuyev, was killed in an apparent opposition attack RTR state television reported, citing the Russian military sources.
Two female aides who were in Tsuyev's office at the time of the attack were also caught in the line of fire.
Alkhan-Kala, located some five kilometers (three miles) southeast of capital Grozny, is a former opposition stronghold and the hometown of Chechen commander Arbi Barayev. According to Russian military officials cited by RTR, Barayev’s men killed 59-year-old Tsuyev.
A spokesperson for Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov confirmed the murder in a telephone interview but said "Chechnya's armed forces were not responsible for the attack."
"An armed man burst into the office and shot dead the mayor, it was probably a private settling of scores," said the spokesperson.
Police said two men had been arrested for the crime, Interfax reported.
Chechen fighters have repeatedly carried out punishment attacks against Chechens collaborating with Moscow.
Since his June appointment, top civilian administrator in the republic, Akhmad Kadyrov, has been the target of a series of assassination attempts by Chechen fighters who have a bounty on his head.
