Manhunt for Moscow gunmen

MOSCOW, Russia (Reuters) -- Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov has said that he is confident those responsible for shooting a Moscow deputy mayor would be brought to justice.

"The federal and city authorities are making every effort to solve this barbaric crime," the Russian Interfax news agency quoted Kasyanov as saying on Wednesday.

Gunmen seriously wounded Iosif Ordzhonikidze and killed his driver when they opened fire on his car on Tuesday in an attack Mayor Yuri Luzhkov blamed on the criminal underworld.

Ordzhonikidze, who is responsible for international economic ties in the capital, underwent surgery after a bullet grazed his internal organs. NTV reported his condition was serious but stable.

News reports said two masked gunmen had shot at Ordzhonikidze's car and that an automatic rifle mounted with a grenade launcher had been found at the scene.

Luzhkov condemned the shooting and said Ordzhonikidze was a victim of decisions he had made which ruffled the feathers of criminal organisations.

Ordzhonikidze deals with the organisation and use of hard currency in Moscow, measures for regulating currency expenditure in the city and attracting foreign investment.

He recently signed an agreement to build Russia's first top-class international motorsport circuit at a cost of around $100 million.

A few months earlier, an Ordzhonikidze aide escaped injury when he was fired on while travelling to work by car.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Moscow deputy mayor survives shooting
December 19, 2000

Moscow Mayor's Directorate

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