Russian presidential envoy: culprits behind Dagestan church shooting to be punished

Russian Presidential Envoy to the North Caucasus Federal District Oleg Belaventsev said that those behind the shooting attack on an Orthodox Church in the town of Kizlyar in Russia's Dagestan will receive the punishment they deserve.

"Law enforcement agencies will take comprehensive measures to establish those behind this horrific and cynical crime. The crime’s masterminds, as well as its perpetrators and their accomplices, will receive the punishment they deserve," TASS cited him as saying.

"It is impossible to justify this action and I would like to point out that no destructive forces, no matter what ideas they hide behind and what guise they take, will succeed in creating discord between followers of different religions in the North Caucasus," Belaventsev stressed.

The envoy offered condolences to the families and friends of the victims. "I wish a speedy recovery to those wounded. Assistance will be provided to the families of the killed and wounded," he added.

On February 18, an armed man opened gunfire at people leaving an Orthodox church in Kizlyar, killing five and wounding four people, including police and National Guard officers. The gunman was shot dead by the police while trying to flee the scene.