Belgium probes into murder of Exxon oil giant execOctober 26, 2012 - 15:11 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Belgian prosecutors are investigating the murder of a British oil executive shot and killed in front of his wife as they walked to their car after dinner at an Italian restaurant in Brussels, Reuters said. Nicholas Mockford, who worked for U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil, was shot at least twice on October 14 after a Sunday evening meal, but prosecutors declined to say if they were investigating the case as a possible contract killing. Belgian media earlier reported police believed Mockford had been killed in a failed car hijacking, though the couple's Lexus sports utility vehicle had not been taken after the shooting. Brussels prosecutors said they were not prepared to comment further on the details or circumstances of the case until the perpetrators were caught. ExxonMobil in Belgium said that Mockford, 59, had worked as a department head at its office in Machelen, on the outskirts of Brussels. "Of course we are all shocked," a company spokesman said. "There is no indication that the incident was work-related." No one was willing to comment when Reuters called Mockford's family home in Grimbergen, an affluent town just north of Brussels. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |