A journalist working for a regional television company in northeastern Russia has been stabbed to death.

Russian investigators said that the body of Anatoly Bitkov, chief editor of Kolyma Plus regional television company, was found Wednesday morning in his apartment in the city of Magadan in Russia's Far East.

Investigators said Bitkov's death was likely caused by multiple stab wounds in the neck and chest. They also said the attack was probably not related to his work, but that all possible motives would be investigated.

The International Press Institute called on Russian authorities to conduct a thorough probe into Bitkov's death, saying the murder shows anew the dangers that journalists in Russia face.

The Vienna-based organization expressed concern about the investigators' statement apparently downplaying any potential connection with Bitkov's work so soon after his murder.

Russia ranks as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists, especially those working in the volatile North Caucasus region.