Russian businessman gunned down in France

48 year-old Russian businessman Vladimir Zakharchenko has died in a hospital after being shot in the French city of Tulon, Southern France, the consul-general of the Russian Federation in Marseilles has said, Russian website Regions.ru reports.

Vladimir Zakharchenko, the owner of big trade shops in the Russian city of Samara, was attacked on June 30, when the businessman, his wife and their 12 year-old son were coming back to the hotel from the beach. An unknown motorcyclist fired three times at Zakharchenko and rode away.

One of the bullets hit him in the head. He was taken to the local hospital but doctors could not save his life.

French police have begun a search for the gunmen but so far with no results.

Zakharchenko expanded his business in the early 1990’s. He opened several trade shops and the supermarket 'Zakhar,' in the city of Samara, Southern Russia.  

According to a Russian Mayak radio report, Zakharchenko had already suffered one assassination attempt in Germany several years ago.