Russian journalist hanged, stabbed to death

Ilyas Shurpayev in 1997.

MOSCOW, Russia (AP) -- A television journalist was found dead in a Moscow apartment Friday with a belt around his neck and numerous stab wounds -- a grisly murder that reinforces Russia's image as one of the most dangerous countries for reporters.

Hours after the body of Ilyas Shurpayev was discovered, an executive in charge of the provincial state TV station in his home region of Dagestan was shot to death by unidentified men, and police were looking for links between the two killings. full story