Chechen Prosecutors: Blast in Central Grozny Was a Terrorist Act

The Chechen prosecutor's office has assessed the explosion in central Grozny as a terrorist act.

Chechen Prosecutor Vladimir Kravchenko told RIA Novosti on the phone that a criminal case would be instigated into the incident, pursuant to articles 105 and 205 of the Russian Criminal Code, i.e. "a murder attempt" and "terrorism." Kravchenko reported that the blast had injured three people - a Chechen traffic policeman and two commandos (SOBR) of the Murmansk region.

The explosion took place at about 10.15 Moscow time on the area of the Dinamo stadium. Gala celebrations were to be held at the stadium to mark the Victory Day but the organisers had cancelled the event the day before.

At present, an investigative and operative group is working at the scene.