Russia blames “occupying countries” for hostages’ death

Russia blames “occupying countries” for hostages’ death

The statement passed 425-0 by the State Duma followed Monday's confirmation by the Foreign Ministry that four Russians working at the embassy in Iraq had been killed; they were seized in early June, according to the AP.

The statement "deplores the death of our compatriots ... expresses profound indignation over the fact of their brutal murder and strongly denounces the criminals, who committed that heinous crime."

It says the abduction and killings were possible because "of the deepening crisis in Iraq, while the occupying countries are losing control over the situation, and terror and violence are becoming the order of the day in that country."