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Two Russians face criminal charges over fatal Minsk fireworks blast

The investigation continues

Fireworks display marking the Day of Independence of Belarus and the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from Nazi invaders, July 3, 2019 Natalia Fedosenko/TASS

Fireworks display marking the Day of Independence of Belarus and the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from Nazi invaders, July 3, 2019

© Natalia Fedosenko/TASS

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MINSK, July 17. /TASS/. Investigators are pressing charges against two Russian nationals arrested over explosions during a festive fireworks display in the Belarusian capital of Minsk on July 3, the Russian Embassy in Belarus informed TASS on Wednesday.

"Charges have been filed, and the investigative activities are continuing," said Embassy Spokesman Sergei Aryaev.

A woman was killed in the fireworks blast during the holiday pyrotechnics display in Minsk on July 3, and ten more people were injured. According to the Belarusian Defense Ministry, Russia’s Piro-Ross company supplied the fireworks in question.

On July 4, Belarusian law enforcement authorities took two Russian company reps into custody. According to investigators, their actions included elements of a crime under Part 2 of Section 299 of the Belarusian Criminal Code ("Violation of the rules of handling explosive substances resulting in the loss of life caused by negligence").

The investigative activities into ascertaining the circumstances of the incident are in progress. Experts from the Belarusian State Forensic Examination Committee have been tasked with determining the cause and mechanism of the explosions.

Chairman of the Belarusian Investigative Committee Ivan Noskevich earlier reported that the detained Russian citizens were cooperating with investigators.

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