Russian religious leaders ask for protection

Moscow has hosted another session of the Russian Inter-religious Council to discuss protection of people from terrorism and ethic violations of traffic rules, especially drunken driving.

The talks were attended by Lieutenant-General V.N. Kiryanov, Chief of the Main Directorate of the Traffic Police of the Russian Interior Ministry, and Y.Y. Nilov, Chairman of the Committee for Public Associations and Religious Organizations of the Russian parliament.

Religious officials of Russia urged the government to protect them from attacks and slander. Their declaration states that 13 Islamic leaders have died in Tatarstan and North Caucasus since the beginning of this year. The victims include Valiullah Yakupov and Sayid Chirkeysky.

Attendants of the meeting urged the government to switch from passive defense to active prevention of terrorist attacks against religious figures.