The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed concern in connection with the death of a prominent Russian journalist in Dagestan last week.

The United Nations agency warned Russian authorities Tuesday that the killing of Khadzhimurad Kamalov will send a “chilling message” to journalists, in particular those seeking to cover human rights issues. Kamalov, who founded the Dagestan weekly newspaper Chernovik, was known for his extensive reporting on alleged abuses by the police and other human rights violations in Dagestan.

He was shot to death as he left the publisher's office in the city of Makhachkala on Friday.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights called on Russian authorities to conduct a thorough, transparent and independent investigation into Kamalov's killing and to bring the perpetrators to justice promptly.