Right on the eve of the beginning of the month of Ramadan, the most revered by Muslims, the car of the Mufti of the Republic of Tatarstan Ildus Fayzov was blown up in the city of Kazan. The assassination attempt on the mufti was committed an hour after the murder of his former deputy. Experts suggest that both incidents are related to the professional activities of the victims.
Ildus Faizov is the mufti of the republic and is known for his harsh statements against Islamic radical groups, which are increasingly making themselves felt in the region.
On July 19, the mufti was returning from the Tatar Radiosa radio station, where a recording of his address to Muslims on the eve of the great holiday of Ramadan was recorded. In the conversation, the spiritual leader inspired believers to fast, talked about faith and tolerance. At about 11 am Moscow time, his Toyota Landcruiser was blown up at the intersection of Chetaev and Musina streets.
According to the investigation, the explosives were installed under the bottom of the car in the area of the front passenger seat. The attackers expected that the mufti would go, as usual, with a driver. But this time he was driving himself, and besides, he was not wearing a seat belt. According to the investigation, this is what saved his life. The blast wave of the mufti was thrown out of the car. Despite the injury to his leg, he himself reached the lawn, where the assembled people helped him to enter the pharmacy.
It was there that he waited for the arrival of an ambulance. A little later, two more explosions were heard, from which glass flew out in the nearest houses. The car burned out completely, but no one else was hurt from the explosions. On the same day, at the entrance of his house on Zarya Street, Ildus Fayzov's deputy, Valiull Yakupov, was shot. The wounded official managed to get to the company car, where his personal driver was waiting for him. But on the way to the hospital, the victim died.
The investigation is confident in the connection between these two crimes. The incidents caused a wide public response and are widely discussed in the press. The investigative group is persistently searching for the customers and perpetrators of these crimes. At the moment, more than forty people have been detained on suspicion of involvement.
