VOA News
05 Jul 2003, 14:13 UTC
Russia says Chechen rebels are to blame for Saturday's suicide bombing attacks in Moscow that killed at least 18 people, including the bombers. Russian Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov says Chechen separatists most likely carried out the attacks in response to President Vladimir Putin's decision Friday to hold Kremlin-run presidential elections in Chechnya in October. He says at least 20 people were injured in the blasts.
Two female suicide bombers set off explosives attached to their bodies when police refused them entry into a popular rock concert in northwest Moscow. Thousands of people were gathered at the Tushino airfield for the festival, called "Wings" when the explosions took place.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombings. Chechen separatists have stepped up attacks since the Kremlin held a constitutional referendum in the breakaway republic in March that confirmed Chechnya as a part of Russia.
Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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