Putin denounces New Zealand mosque attacks

MOSCOW, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir news.cn/en/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">news.cn/en/tag/i0xnazjbc3b4127ae831b6/index.html" target="_blank">Putin called Friday's attacks on civilians in two mosques of news.cn/en/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">new Zealand's Christchurch "shocking in its violence and cynicism."

In a condolence message to news.cn/en/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">new Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, news.cn/en/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">news.cn/en/tag/i0xnazjbc3b4127ae831b6/index.html" target="_blank">Putin said he hopes that "every person involved in this crime will sustain a well-deserved punishment."

The president said that Russians share the grief of those who lost their loved ones and hope for a speedy recovery of the injured.

Moscow is shocked by the terrible crime in news.cn/en/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">new Zealand and expresses deep sorrow and support for the country's people, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told a briefing.

At least 49 people were killed and 48 others wounded in the attacks on two mosques of news.cn/en/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">new Zealand's Christchurch earlier in the day.