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Bomb threat at Pussy Riot trial proves false

The court has resumed hearings into the Pussy Riot case in an scheduled regime
Photo ITAR-TASS
Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, August 2 (Itar-Tass) — A bomb threat earlier announced at the Pussy Riot trial held at the Moscow Khamovnichesky district court has proved false.

Law enforcers have searched the court building, but found no explosive device, said spokeswoman for the Khamovnichesky court Darya Lyakh. Law enforcers assisted by an expert with a sniffer dog, who permanently stays in the court building, have thoroughly searched the court premises, she said.

The court has resumed hearings into the Pussy Riot case in an scheduled regime.

An anonymous call warning about an explosive device allegedly planted in the court building was put through to the office of Khamovnichesky court Chairman Viktor Danilkin at 11.20 am Thursday. "There is a mine planted in the building. Free Pussy Riot," the anonymous caller said.

Prior to the evacuation the judge, Marina Syrova who is presiding at the sensational trial, had been challenged a fifth time by the defendants' lawyers since the trial began. Shortly before the anonymous call was put through Syrova withdrew from the courtroom to make a decision on the disqualification plea against her.