Minister reported dead in Russia shootout is alive: official

A minister in Russia's turbulent Ingushetia region on Friday denied reports that he had been shot dead in a shootout, saying he had been at work since the early morning.

A minister in Russia's turbulent Ingushetia region on Friday denied reports that he had been shot dead in a shootout, saying he had been at work since the early morning.

HT Image

"The minister has been at work since 8:00 am," said the official, identifying himself as Ruslan Balayev, the sports and tourism minister for Ingushetia.

"I don't even know" what's happening, he said, referring to the reports of his death.

Earlier, security sources said Balayev had died on the spot when his car was attacked in the early morning.