Investigators say the suicide bomber who killed 35 people and wounded 180 at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport was a 20-year-old man from the volatile southern Caucasus region.
The federal Investigative Committee made the announcement in a website statement on Saturday.
It is the first official indication since Monday's blast at the international arrivals hall that authorities have made progress in their probe of the attack, and appears to support popular suspicion that Islamist rebels from the south could be behind the bombing.
Chechen rebels have claimed responsibility for a number of deadly attacks over the years, including ones against the Moscow metro and at the same airport.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
