Chief of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) denounced the murder of a young Russian journalist and urged authorities to bring the criminals to justice, the organization said in a statement Tuesday.

Kazbek Gekkiyev, a 28-year-old news anchor covering social issues for the regional branch of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Company (VGTRK), was shot on Dec. 5 in the head by two gunmen on his way returning home from work with a friend in Nalchik in Russia's North Caucasus region.

His friend was left unharmed, according to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

"I am encouraged by the rapid reaction of the Russian authorities, who pledged immediately that the crime would be investigated," UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said.

"Bringing the perpetrators to justice will send a clear sign to those who commit such acts that attempting to silence the media is not an option," she said.

Gekkiyev is remembered on the dedicated site UNESCO Condemns the Killing of Journalists, the UNESCO statement noted.

The CPJ reported that several VGTRK journalists have quit their jobs over the past year after receiving threats against their lives.