Statement of the Abkhaz Foreign Ministry

On September 9 a dreadful crime, the murder of the First Secretary of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Abkhazia Dmitry Vishernev, was committed in Sukhum. His spouse was seriously wounded. The State Prosecutor’s Office of Abkhazia instituted legal proceedings in relation with this criminal case and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Security Service of Abkhazia are investigating the crime.

Whatever the motives of this flagrant crime the Abkhaz Foreign Minister considers the murder of the Russian diplomat as an attempt to destroy peace and stability in the Republic of Abkhazia, an action aimed at undermining strategic and brotherly Russian-Abkhaz relations and a provocation intended to cause political and other consequences. People in Abkhazia are deeply shocked by the case. The villainous murder of the Russian diplomat is our common tragedy. Those who contemplated this terrible crime are the enemies of the people and the future of Abkhazia. The criminals will be undoubtedly detained and convicted to the fullest extent permitted by law.

The Abkhaz Foreign Ministry expresses its deepest condolences to the colleagues from the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Abkhazia, to the Russian Foreign Ministry and to the family and friends of the diseased.

Source: MFA Apsny