Press release on a terrorist attack in Egypt

On May 26, a bloody terrorist attack directed against Coptic Christians was perpetrated in the Minya province in central Egypt. Unknown armed men opened fire from automatic weapons on a bus carrying pilgrims near the monastery of St Samuel the Confessor. As a result, 26 people were killed and 25 were wounded. There are children among the victims. The time and place of this crime indicate that it was planned in advance.

This appalling act once again demonstrated the inhuman essence of international terrorists, who do not shirk from using any all means to achieve their foul goals: to instil fear and doubt in the hearts of Egyptians and to sow inter-religious strife.

Moscow reaffirms its principled position of categorical rejection and condemnation of any terrorist attacks, regardless of the motives that guide their ideological masterminds and perpetrators. We declare our solidarity with the leadership and people of Egypt in resolutely combating terrorism and extremism. We express our sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wish speedy recovery to the injured.

The Russian Foreign Ministry calls on Russians visiting Egypt to be cautious and to avoid public places where an increased terrorist threat remains.