Putin and Mirziyoyev Discuss Murder of Russian General, Uzbek Citizen Accused

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, during which they discussed the recent murder of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of the Russian Army's NBC (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical) Protection Troops, The Caspian Post reports citing Akipress.

According to the Kremlin, the conversation took place at the initiative of the Uzbek side. President Mirziyoyev expressed condolences over the death of the Russian serviceman and his assistant. He condemned this "dastardly terrorist act" and announced his intention to continue cooperation between the special services of the two countries in countering terrorism.

President Mirziyoyev also congratulated Putin on the successful holding of the direct line and the final press conference, and expressed his readiness to continue developing Russian-Uzbek relations in all areas.

The murder of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov and his assistant Ilya Polikarpov occurred on the morning of December 17 in Moscow. An explosive device was placed in an electric scooter near Kirillov's house, which was detonated remotely. On December 18, the special services reported the arrest of a citizen of Uzbekistan, Akhmadzhon Kurbonov, suspected of organizing the explosion. During interrogation, he stated that he had been recruited by the Security Service of Ukraine, and was promised $100,000 for the murder.