OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Secretary General condemn terrorist attack in Russia’s Republic of Dagestan

ROME / VIENNA, 19 February 2018 – The targeting of innocent civilians in indiscriminate acts of violence is unacceptable and never justified, said OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Italy’s Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano and OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger today following the terrorist attacks in Kizlyar, Dagestan, in the Russian Federation. They offered their condolences to the families of victims and wished a quick recovery to the injured.

“I condemn in the strongest possible terms these attacks on innocent people in a place of worship as an attempt to instill fear in our societies and sow divisions between communities,” said Alfano. “We renew the full support as OSCE Chairmanship-in-Office to the Russian Federation in the wake of this heinous act, and vow to increase international co-operation within the OSCE to counter all forms of violent extremism and terrorism. Today, I expressed my condolences over the phone directly to the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Arkady Dvorkovich.”

Secretary General Greminger said: “This is a senseless and abhorrent act of violence. OSCE participating States and Partners will not be intimidated by such attacks. We will strengthen our resolve to confront the threat of terrorism through a range of approaches, including by increasing our efforts to prevent violent ideas from taking root in the minds of young people.”