Mir za nedelyu [World in a Week]

No. 3, 11-18.09.99

EXPLOSION WITH HOME DELIVERY

"Novye Izvestia" Reports

"Novye Izvestia" reports that on Tuesday evening, the capital's mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, discussed a prevented terrorist attack on Borisovskie Prudy Street during a program on TV Center called 'Face to Face'.

The mayor listed items found on the first floor of the house that escaped destruction:
* Sugar
* Saltpeter
* Aluminum powder
* Plastic explosive
* Electric detonators

However, the report notes an unexpected conclusion: all these materials were illegally brought by terrorists from Chechnya.

The publication challenges Yuri Luzhkov, stating that even with the tightened regime, materials to blow up a house can be legally purchased in Moscow without police intervention. Journalists from 'Novye Izvestia' demonstrated how one can "assemble" explosives in Moscow with sufficient money and a classifieds newspaper.

FSB and MUR Sources

'Segodnya' reports that sources within the FSB and MUR (Moscow Criminal Investigation Department) claim to know the origin and method of the explosives.
* Several addresses have been identified where terrorists brought explosives disguised as granulated sugar.
* At least six bombs have already been defused.

The Kashirka Incident

The success of the security forces began hours after the explosion on Kashirka.
* A "Gazelle" driver reported being hired by a man matching the terrorist's sketch weeks before the explosion.
* Together, they collected "bags of sugar" from a warehouse in the basement of a house on Krasnodarskaya Street.
* The materials were transported to Guryanova Street, Kashirskoe Highway, and Borisovskie Prudy.

Operatives found:
* 6 explosive devices in the basement of the house on Borisovskie Prudy Street, with timers set for September 16 and September 20.
* 2.5 tons of various explosives capable of destroying the 10-entrance house and burying at least 1,200 people.
* An additional 4.5 tons of explosives were found in the basement of a house on Krasnodarskaya Street hours later.

The bags bore the marking "Erkenshakhar Sugar", the stamp of the only sugar factory in Karachay-Cherkessia (village of Erkenshakhar, Adyge-Khablsky district). The bags were stuffed with hexogen. It was determined that the explosives arrived in Moscow at least last autumn, as the sugar factory's production had been suspended since November.

Task force members also found the driver's associates. In 24 hours, over 100 people were interviewed (about 10 detained), including those who received assignments from the same dispatcher who advertised in the newspaper "Iz Ruk v Ruki" [From Hand to Hand]. Drivers stated that some picked up the "sugar" from a Mercedes trailer parked near the 51st km of the MKAD [Moscow Ring Road].

'Ekho Moskvy' Updates

'Ekho Moskvy' reports that the search continues:
* On Thursday, residents were evacuated from several houses, but explosives were found in garages in Kapotnya.
* Kirill Mizulin, head of MUR, reported the discovery of about 3.5 tons of explosive substances.
* Another batch was found in Proektiruemy Proezd, in an industrial zone, inside a box rented by a person wanted under a fake passport with the surname Laipanov.

Additionally, the re-registration of visitors in the capital continues, with about 20,000 unregistered people found.

Civic Response and City Reaction

• 'Trud' notes that the explosions on Manezhnaya Square and Pechatniki, along with the tragedy on Kashirskoe Highway, have shaken the city, leading Moscow to rise in defense.
• 'Nezavisimaya Gazeta' reports that in the Chertanovo microdistrict, volunteer detachments have begun forming to protect public order. Lists are being compiled in ZHEKs (housing offices) for men who will guard their homes, and volunteers are granted the right to detain suspicious persons.
• 'Vremya MN' indicates that residents are daily requesting repairs for entrance doors, code equipment, intercom installation, or organizing security guards.

Continued on page 2.