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Kremlin considers Orlando attack an act of terrorism

The Kremlin categorically disagrees with those who are trying to justify the attack

© AP Photo/Matt Rourke

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Putin offers condolences to Obama, all Americans over Orlando tragedy

MOSCOW, June 14. /TASS/. Moscow considers the attack at a club in Orlando, Florida, as a terrorist act, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday.

"The president conveyed condolences to (US President Barack) Obama and all Americans over the tragic - we can in fact now call it a terrorist attack - that happened in Orlando and that led to numerous casualties," Peskov said.

According to Peskov, the Kremlin categorically disagrees with those who are trying to justify the attack.

Reporters asked Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov to comment on statements made by the head of Tatarstan’s Union of Young Innovators Ruslan Ibragimov who justified the attack at the Orlando club.

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"I don’t know who Mr Ibragimov is, I don’t know what he wrote and where. Such thoughts are, of course, absolutely not understandable," Peskov said.

Overnight to Sunday, June 12, US citizen of Afghan descent Omar Matten opened fire at the Pulse gay club in Orlando, Florida, killing 49 people and injuring 53 more. Mateen, armed with a handgun and an assault rifle that he purchased legally, was killed by police. Media reported that the attacker pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization (banned in Russia).

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