Abakar Abakarov, a Dagestani Islamist activist accused of administering the Utro Dagestan Telegram channel that helped incite the 2023 antisemitic pogrom at Makhachkala airport, was found dead in Istanbul on Friday, according to Turkish and regional media.
As of Saturday, Turkish police had not publicly confirmed the victim’s identity.
Local reports said the body was discovered in a short-term rental villa in the Eyüpsultan district. Security footage captured a man leaving the property with two bags on October 7. Turkish outlets described multiple stab wounds and said a homicide investigation is underway.
Abakarov had been on Russia’s federal wanted list since November 14, 2023, after authorities linked Utro Dagestan to the October 29, 2023 unrest in Dagestan’s capital. Hundreds stormed Makhachkala airport after a flight from Tel Aviv landed, in an incident widely condemned as a pogrom targeting Israelis and Jews.
During the riot, more than 20 people were injured, and passengers from Israel hid in the terminal before being airlifted to safety, Israel’s ambassador in Moscow said at the time. The Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem urged Russia to protect “Israeli citizens and Jews” and act against the incitement.
Dagestani Makhachkala airport rioter found dead in Istanbul
In the aftermath, Telegram blocked channels that called for violence in Dagestan, and the Utro Dagestan channel was taken down. Regional officials later cited the incident when imposing regional restrictions on the app.
The reported killing of Abakarov in Istanbul comes as Turkey continues to probe politically tinged crimes on its soil. Istanbul media first flagged the Eyüpsultan villa case last week; Caucasian Knot and Novaya Gazeta Europe later identified the victim as Abakarov, citing acquaintances. Authorities in Türkiye have not announced arrests.
The October 2023 airport attack became a symbol of Middle East-linked antisemitism spreading into Russia’s North Caucasus.