| Vitaly Karayev | |
| Birth Name: | Виталий Сергеевич Караев |
| Birth Date: | 10 June 1962[1] |
| Birth Place: | Chermen, Prigorodny District, North Ossetia, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Death Place: | Vladikavkaz, Republic of North Ossetia–Alania, Russia |
| Death Cause: | Gunshot |
| Nationality: | Russian |
| Education: | North Ossetian State University |
| Occupation: | Mayor of Vladikavkaz |
| Term: | February 2008 – 26 November 2008 |
Vitaly Sergeyevich Karayev (Russian: Виталий Сергеевич Караев) (10 June 1962 – 26 November 2008) was the mayor of the North Ossetian capital, Vladikavkaz.[2]
Karayev was murdered by an unknown gunman on 26 November 2008.[3] [4] He was killed as he left his home and climbed into his silver Mercedes.[5] He was taken to hospital, but died there from a chest wound.[5] He had been in power for less than a year before being murdered.
Russian authorities stated in February 2009 that about 30 people had been detained in connection with Karayev's assassination, including some in Moscow.[6] Another source said Karayev's killing was also linked to the death a month later of ex-Vladikavkaz mayor Kazbek Pagiyev.[7]
Karayev's killer, Alexander Jussoyev, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on 11 August 2011. Jussoyev was said to be a member of an organized crime group[8] led by Aslan Gagiyev.[9]