Nasir Gadzhikhanov died when his car came under automatic weapons fire.
Daghestan's Deputy Sports Minister Killed
Authorities in Daghestan say the deputy sports minister of the violence-plagued Russian North Caucasus republic has been shot dead.
An Interior Ministry spokesman said Nasir Gadzhikhanov, a former European champion wrestler, died after his car came under automatic weapons fire late on May 29 in the Daghestani capital, Makhachkala.
Nasir Gadzhikhanov
There was no immediate word on a possible motive for the killing.
Police said they have opened a criminal investigation and were pursuing several leads.
Gadzhikhanov was the world freestyle silver medalist in 1990 in the 74-kilogram class and a three-time European champion.
Daghestan, which neighbors Chechnya, sees frequent attacks on police and officials linked to the battle against Islamist militants, as well as violence connected to organized crime groups.
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