MOSCOW. Jan 16 (Interfax) - The Russian Foreign Ministry has on Tuesday condemned the murder of Serbian politician Oliver Ivanovic in Kosovo and expressed hope that those guilty would be prosecuted.
"We strongly condemn this heinous act. The settling of political scores in such a manner is fraught with a growing atmosphere of terror and relapses of the inter-ethnic conflict in the region. We call on the international presence in Kosovo to take exhaustive measures to prevent possible incidents in the province in accordance with the existing mandates," the Russian Foreign Ministry's information and press department said in a commentary posted on its website.
"We expect relevant agencies to conduct a thorough investigation of the incident and identify the perpetrators, who are to be duly punished," it said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that it was "saddened to learn about the murder of well-known politician Ivanovic, one of the leaders of Serbs living in the north of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo, on January 16."
"We extend deep condolences to his family and loved ones," it said.
Unidentified persons opened fire at Ivanovic, aged 64, in front of his party's office in the city of Kosovska Mitrovica on Tuesday. They fled after the attack. The Serbian politician was taken to the hospital, but it was too late to save his life.