Moscow police deputy head fired after terror attack
26/01/2011
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has dismissed the deputy head of Moscow's police after a deadly terrorist attack at Russia's biggest airport was blamed on poor security, the Kremlin said on its website on Wednesday.
Major-General Vladimir Chugunov had been in office since 2001.
A powerful blast struck the busy international terminal of Moscow's Domodedovo Airport on Monday evening, killing 35 people and injuring up to 180. Conflicting reports suggest the attack was carried out by a female Black Widow suicide bomber accompanied by a man, or a man on his own.
Medvedev blamed the tragedy on poor security at the airport, which he described as "chaos," and demanded that Interior Ministry and Federal Security Service (FSB) officials responsible for security be punished.
Wednesday has been declared a day of mourning in Moscow for victims of the attack. Flags are flying at half mast across the capital and the surrounding region and TV companies have been advised by the mayor's office to cancel all entertainment programs as a sign of respect.
Moscow police deputy head fired after terror attack | Russia | RIA Novosti
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday sacked a federal transportation security chief in the wake of a terrorist attack on Moscow's Domodedovo airport.
"I have signed a decree relieving [Maj. Gen. Andrei] Alekseyev of his duties as head of the Interior Ministry transport security directorate," Medvedev said.
More dismissals will follow, he warned.
He ordered Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev to "shake up" the entire transport police to ensure daily transport security.
"If people don't understand how to work, we'll find other people," Medvedev said.
He earlier criticized airport security and said those responsible would be "punished."
Russia needs a modern color-coded security system in the transport sector similar to the systems in use in the West, Medvedev said.
Moscow is observing a day of mourning on Wednesday for the victims of the January 24 terrorist attack.
Monday's blast at the airport arrivals zone claimed the lives of 35 people and left scores injured. No group has yet taken responsibility for the attack, which comes less than 12 months after two female suicide bombers from the volatile North Caucasus struck the Moscow metro, killing dozens.
The identity of the terrorist or terrorists who carried out the blast has not yet been officially confirmed, with conflicting reports suggesting the attack was carried out by a female Black Widow suicide bomber accompanied by a man, or a man on his own.