Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier today (9 February) sent the following telegram to Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski:

“I was devastated to hear of the murder of the Polish national held hostage by Islamist extremists in Pakistan. This crime leaves us shocked and deeply grieved. The Federal Government condemns this horrendous act in the strongest terms.

Our thoughts are with the friends and family of the deceased at this difficult time. Our sincere condolences and deepest sympathy go to them and to all the people of Poland.”

Federal Minister Steinmeier had already expressed the condolences of the Federal Government when he spoke to his Polish counterpart this morning on the telephone. In the course of the conversation, the Polish Foreign Minister said that because of this incident, he would be unable to come to Berlin today as had been planned.