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Cartridge cases, unidentified explosive device found at murder scene of Russian diplomat in Sukhum

Three criminal cases opened
Photo ITAR-TASS/ Alexey Filippov
Photo ITAR-TASS/ Alexey Filippov

SUKHUM, September 9 (Itar-Tass) - Operatives have found cartridge cases and an unidentified explosive device at the murder scene of Russian Vice-Consul in Abkhazia Dmitry Vishernev, the Abkhazian Prosecutor General’s Office stated on Monday.

Abkhazian Prosecutor General Safarbei Mikanba, Interior Minister Otar Khetsia, Chairman of the republican State Security Council Aslan Bzhania, Sukhum Prosecutor Alisa Bigvava and other officials of the republican State Security Council, the Interior Ministry and the republican Prosecutor General’s Office have examined the murder scene, chief of the investigation department of the republican Prosecutor General’s Office Dzhemala Gogiya said.

“An interdepartmental investigating group was set up that included the most qualified detectives and criminal experts as well as the operatives of the republican State Security Council and Interior Ministry,” Gogiya said.

The Sukhum prosecutor’s office opened a criminal case under three articles of the Abkhazian Criminal Code for premeditated murder, attempted premeditated murder of two people, illegal acquisition and storage of firearms and an explosive device.

The Abkhazian Prosecutor General’s Office noted that the killers were shooting at 08:30 Moscow time on Monday in Sukhum at a service car of First Secretary of the Russian Embassy in Abkhazia and Vice-Consul Dmitry Vishernev. The murder was committed at 52, Nazadze Street, when Vishernev was driving out from a garage. His wife Olga Vishernev, who is also an employee of the Russian consular department, was driving together with him, the republican Prosecutor General’s Office said.

Dmitry Vishernev died of lethal wounds. Olga Vishernev was taken to hospital with heavy gunshot wounds. She underwent an urgent surgery.