A Tajik man accused of killing two security officials in a shootout last week at Moldova’s main airport has died of multiple gunshot wounds.
Authorities in the country of 2.6 million ordered an inquiry into improving airport security.
Tuesday was declared a day of mourning by President Maia Sandu and flags were flown at half staff. Posthumous medals were awarded to the two victims.
An official statement on Monday announced the death of Rustam Asurov, 43, a native of Tajikistan, who seized a gun from a security officer after being refused entry to Moldova.
He was accused of killing two officers and briefly taking hostages before being overpowered by security officials. He had suffered 10 gunshot wounds and never regained consciousness. He died in hospital.
He had arrived in Chisinau from Istanbul and was being led away to an area of the airport to be put on a return flight when shooting broke out. Prosecutors said he was unable to explain what he was doing in Moldova.
Prosecutors initially called the incident a terrorist act but investigators working with officials in Tajikistan, a former Soviet state in Central Asia, said he was wanted in connection with the abduction last month of a banking officer.
Moldova’s prosecutor general’s office announced a probe into “the failure or improper performance of duties by persons involved in ensuring the security of the airport”.
