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Southern Russia mayor gunned down Southern Russia mayor gunned down
(20 minutes later)
The mayor of the capital of Russia's North Ossetia region has been assassinated by unknown gunmen, local officials say.The mayor of the capital of Russia's North Ossetia region has been assassinated by unknown gunmen, local officials say.
Vitaly Karayev died from gunshot wounds in hospital after he was attacked in Vladikavkaz on Wednesday morning.Vitaly Karayev died from gunshot wounds in hospital after he was attacked in Vladikavkaz on Wednesday morning.
Police have sealed off the area and an investigation is now under way.Police have sealed off the area and an investigation is now under way.
Russia's southern region, like neighbouring Ingushetia and Chechnya, has suffered sporadic violence from militant groups in recent months. The southern Russian region, like neighbouring Ingushetia and Chechnya, has suffered sporadic violence from militant groups in recent months.
Mr Karayev was shot at about 0900 local time (0600 GMT), as he was leaving his home in a car, officials say.
He suffered several bullet wounds and later died in Vladikavkaz's hospital.
Some reports in the Russian media say Mr Karayev could have been killed by a sniper.
Troubled region
Earlier this month, 12 people were killed in what officials believe was an attack by a female suicide bomber in Vladikavkaz.Earlier this month, 12 people were killed in what officials believe was an attack by a female suicide bomber in Vladikavkaz.
North Ossetia was the scene of the Beslan school siege in 2004, when pro-Chechen militants seized schoolchildren and teachers. It ended with more than 300 people dead after a bungled assault by Russian troops.North Ossetia was the scene of the Beslan school siege in 2004, when pro-Chechen militants seized schoolchildren and teachers. It ended with more than 300 people dead after a bungled assault by Russian troops.
Neighbouring Ingushetia suffers almost daily shoot-outs and explosions.Neighbouring Ingushetia suffers almost daily shoot-outs and explosions.
The Georgian breakaway region of South Ossetia - scene of a brief war between Russia and Georgia in August - also borders on North Ossetia. Thousands of Russian troops remain in South Ossetia.The Georgian breakaway region of South Ossetia - scene of a brief war between Russia and Georgia in August - also borders on North Ossetia. Thousands of Russian troops remain in South Ossetia.