Cypriot President Demetris Christofias has strongly condemned the murder of a prominent media publisher, Andis Hadjicostis, in Nicosia on Monday.

Police say Mr Hadjicostis was shot dead outside his home in central Nicosia as he stepped out of his car.

The gunman is said to have fled on a motorcycle driven by an accomplice.

Mr Hadjicostis was director of the Dias media group which owns the Sigma TV channel as well as a radio station, daily newspaper and other publications.

Speaking after leaving the victim's home, President Christofias expressed his shock at the murder, describing it as a "monstrous act".

He said that he believed that the police would "exhaust every possibility to solve this brutal crime."

Observers say that the motive for the killing is unknown but that attacks on media figures are rare in Cyprus.

bbc.co.uk