Suspects Arrested In Ukrainian Bank Bombing
Six people are still hospitalized following the explosions.
June 03, 2009
MELITOPOL, Ukraine -- Ukrainian police have arrested two people suspected of setting off the explosions in a bank in the southeastern city of Melitopol, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service reports.
First Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Turchynov said the suspects have confessed and are cooperating with investigators.
He said the suspects told police they brought explosives and pistols into the Oshchadbank on June 2 with the intention of robbing it.
They wanted to create panic in the bank with the explosives and take as much money as possible in the ensuing chaos.
But the explosions were much stronger than they expected and they fled the scene.
Police said there was only $4,000 in the bank at the time of the robbery attempt.
Some 25 people, including two children, were injured by the explosives and six are still in the hospital with serious injuries.