Putin appointee escapes car bomb

http://www.guardian.co.uk/russia/article/0,2763,1187198,00.html

A suicide bomber drove a car packed with 100kg (220lb) of TNT into the car of the Ingushetian president, Murat Zyazikov, yesterday, injuring him slightly and heightening the fear that the anarchy in Chechnya is spilling over the border.

Mr Zyazikov, who was appointed by President Vladimir Putin, has implemented the Kremlin's hardline policies in the Russian Federation republic in an attempt to halt the growing influence of separatists and repatriate the thousands of Chechen refugees there.

His spokesman, Issa Mirzhoyev, said the incident occurred at about 10am, after the president's convoy had turned on to the main road from the city of Nazran to the capital, Magas. A Lada filled with explosives ran into the righthand side of the Mercedes in which the president was travelling.

Mr Zyazikov, who was treated at home for slight injuries, told the Interfax news agency: "It is difficult to imagine what would have happened if car had not been armour plated."

President of Ingushetia assassinated
04/06/2004 12:14



Suicide bomber assassinates President of Ingushetia

President of the Republic of Ingushetia Murat Zyazikov has been assassinated early Tuesday morning. President's cortege was traveling on the Nazran-Magas freeway when a massive blast took place, reported president's press-secretary Issa Merzhoev.

The incident took place at about 9:45 am MSK when the cortege was about to leave Nazran; it was on its way to MAgas. According to preliminary information, head of the republic of Ingushetia was assassinated by a suicide bomber in a car loaded with explosives. A source in Ingushetia"s law enforcement noted in its interview with "Interfax" that the terrorist had waited inside the car ("Zhiguli" model N7).

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