Shot Moscow official 'fighting for life'

Gunmen sprayed the car with bullets

One of Moscow's most senior officials is in a critical condition after being shot in broad daylight in an apparent mafia-style shooting.

The city's Mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, said Yosef Ordzhonikidze, one of his deputies, was fighting for his life in hospital.

He clearly crossed someone's path

Mayor Luzhkov

Mr Ordzhonikidze, 52, was wounded in the abdomen and thigh, and his driver killed, when two masked gunmen opened fire at close range on their car with an automatic weapon, according to eyewitnesses.

The shooting took place in the city centre during Tuesday morning rush hour, only metres from the city hall where Mr Ordzhonikidze works.

Police said the gunmen fired more than 30 armour-piercing bullets using a Kalashnikov assault rifle in an attack which had the characteristics of a contract killing.

The attack took place only yards from the Kremlin

The gunmen had apparently familiarised themselves with the deputy mayor's route to work, and were waiting near the Kremlin for him as his car approached the mayor's office.

Mayor Luzhkov blamed the capital's mafia for the latest attack, saying Mr Ordzhonikidze had taken steps "criminal organisations did not like".

"He clearly crossed someone's path," he told the Interfax news agency.

Battle with crime

Mr Ordzhonikidze's responsibilities in the city government include dealing with major foreign investment projects, as well as overseeing hotels and casinos.

Mayor Lukhkov blamed organised crime

He has been associated with some of Moscow's most ambitious projects, including a recent $100 million deal to build Russia's first Formula One circuit just outside the capital.

As part of its battle with organised crime, the Moscow city government has recently closed down a number of markets and cracked down on unlicensed vodka sales.

These actions have led to threats to government personnel.

At least eight city officials have been the victims of similar attacks during the past six years.

Dozens of prominent public figures and businessmen are killed in contract murders every year, most of which are never solved.

Mr Luzhkov's administration was accused of corruption by Russia's Interior Ministry at the end of September.