Criminal proceedings of February 19 and July 19 explosions in Voronezh to be united

Criminal proceedings on the February 19, 2004 and July 19, 2004 explosions in Voronezh are to be united, a source in the Voronezh regional law enforcement bodies told RIA Novosti on Monday.

A homemade targeted explosive device filled with bolts and screws was blown up three meters away from the bus stop near the Forest Genetics Institute at 8.15-8.18 Moscow time, spokesman for the Voronezh department of the Russian Security Service Pavel Bolshunov told RIA Novosti. "Fragments of the explosive device broke through the panel of a Gazel mini-bus and hit its passengers. A 26-year-old girl was killed at once. Six passengers were injured and one of them is in critical condition," Mr. Bolshunov said.

The Voronezh regional prosecutor's office has launched an inquiry pursuant to the murder and terrorism articles 105 and 205 of the Russian Criminal Code in connection with the explosion.

The explosions in Voronezh on July 19, 2004 and February 19, 2004 have much in common, said the source in the Voronezh regional law enforcement bodies.

On February 19 the explosion hit the bus stop near the so-called Military Township at 7.30 Moscow time. A bus moved off the stop just before the blast and the concrete wall sheltered the remaining passengers. Two people were hospitalized with concussion.