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Kremlin: War reporter Tatarsky's murder is act of terrorism, Putin was urgently informed

Dmitry Peskov did not say whether Tatarsky might posthumously recieve a state award from the head of state

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov Sergey Bobylev/TASS

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov

© Sergey Bobylev/TASS

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. The murder of war reporter Vladlen Tatarsky is a terrorist act, Russian President Vladimir Putin was immediately informed of the incident, Kremlin Sspokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday.

"This is a terrorist act, you and I have seen the National Antiterrorism Committee’s statement. Now there is an active phase of the investigation, we see quite energetic steps to detain suspects. Let's be patient in any case and wait for statements from our special services that are working there. There is evidence, judging by the National Antiterrorism Committee’s statement, that Ukrainian special services may be involved in the planning of this terrorist attack, and, of course, this is a terrorist attack," Peskov reiterated.

In reply to a clarifying question whether the president was aware, he assured: "Yesterday, he was immediately informed on the subject."

Peskov did not say whether Tatarsky might posthumously recieve a state award from the head of state. "I can't say anything about that yet. I do not have this information," the spokesman explained, noting that reporters would be informed after the data was clarified.

Peskov added that the Kremlin wished a speedy recovery to the victims of the explosion. "And, of course, our condolences to the family and friends of Fomin, who died as a result of this terrorist attack," he said.

The explosion in the cafe happened around 6 p.m. on April 2 during an event hosted by Tatarsky. The journalist was killed on the spot and more than 30 people were injured. According to preliminary data, an explosive device with a yield of more than 200 grams of TNT went off near the stage. Investigators are continuing to work at the scene. Criminal charges of murder by socially dangerous means (Part 2, Article 105 of the Russian Criminal Code) have been filed. The criminal case was transferred to the Investigative Committee’s central office. According to the National Antiterrorism Committee’s statement, the attack was planned by the Ukrainian special services, as well as agents collaborating with Alexey Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation FBK (recognized as a foreign agent NGO).

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