OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Kurz and Secretary General Zannier condemn atrocious blast in St. Petersburg

VIENNA, 3 April 2017 - The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, and OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier today condemned the atrocious blasts in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, offering condolences to the families of those killed and wishing a rapid recovery to the many injured.

“It is terrible that so many people were killed and injured. This brutal attack must not frighten us but rather unite us in the fight against murder, violence and terrorism,” said Kurz. “I hope that the background of the attacks and those who committed them can be clarified swiftly. We will continue working together to tackle violent extremism at all levels.”

Secretary General Lamberto Zannier said: “This human brutality is incomprehensible. We must stand together in the fight against this kind of violence. The OSCE is already active in many areas but we must do all we can to strengthen our engagement.”  

Chairperson Kurz and Secretary General Zannier offered OSCE support to the government of the Russian Federation.