DATE=9/4/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / BLAST (L-O)
NUMBER=2-266123
BYLINE=EVE CONANT
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian authorities are investigating
explosions in St. Petersburg and Ryazan. Two people
are reported killed by the blast in a marketplace in
Ryazan - 200-kilometers south of Moscow. Moscow
Correspondent Eve Conant reports Russian authorities
are investigating the explosions.
TEXT: The workers were killed when a powerful
explosion in an open-air Ryazan marketplace ripped
apart a row of kiosks early Monday. Russia's N-T-V
television showed pictures of the blast scene and the
market cordoned off by local police.
The Interfax News Agency quotes Russia's Interior
Minister Vladimir Rushailo as saying several people
have been detained in Ryazan on suspicion of
involvement. It reports a criminal investigation has
been launched.
Criminal turf wars over business disputes are not
uncommon in Russia, but the explosion prompted concern
in the Russian media about a possible connection to a
deadly bomb attack early last month in a Moscow
subway.
A separate blast tore through a shop in central St.
Petersburg. There were no immediate reports of
casualties. Russian news agencies quoted officials as
saying that explosion was caused by a bomb. There
were no immediate claims of responsibility.
The latest explosions come one-year after a series of
apartment bombings in Russia killed about 300-people.
Russian officials blamed the apartment bombings on
Chechen terrorists. Chechen leaders denied
involvement. Russia's police and military forces
stepped up security throughout the country following
those attacks. (SIGNED)
NEB/EC/GE/RAE
04-Sep-2000 08:28 AM EDT (04-Sep-2000 1228 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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