Former Chechen top official killed in Moscow

The former vice-mayor of the Chechen capital, Grozny, has been shot dead near the entrance of his Moscow residence. Gilani Shepiev was shot in the head three times.

The 36-year-old had moved to Moscow following an attempt on his life back in 2006 that left him with serious injuries and two other people dead.

A criminal case has been launched and police are searching for the gunman who escaped.

In a separate incident, a man who was walking his dog was also shot in the head early on Thursday morning.

Investigators were unable to approach the body for two hours because his dog would not let them.

The man's name has not yet been released and police are looking into the possibility of a contract killing.