According to mass media reports, on the evening of 20 October, two unknown persons opened fire on participants at a wedding ceremony, which was being held in the Coptic Church in the Giza region – a northern suburb of Cairo. According to the available data, three people died and more than a dozen were injured. The police are investigating this incident.

Moscow looks at these and other manifestations of terrorism with concern and condemnation. We note with anxiety that representatives of the Coptic community in Egypt and their religious centres have been subjected to violent actions, including armed attacks from different criminal elements.

We are convinced that such acts of violence must be stopped within the framework of the joint Egyptian authorities to ensure security and stability in the country. This allows Egypt, with which we traditionally have friendly relations, to be brought to the path of political and economic development, on the basis of effectively acting and democratically elected government institutions, at the same time preserving interreligious and nation-wide harmony.

21 October 2013