An 18-year-old graduate of a religious school near Moscow has detonated an explosive device inside the facility, wounding himself and 11 other teenagers.
Moscow region police officials said Vladislav Struzhenkov, who was employed by a convent in the city of Serpukhov, detonated the explosive device on December 13 at the entrance to the Orthodox high school on the grounds of the convent.
The authorities in Serpukhov said that the alleged bomber lost a leg, adding that one teenager who sustained wounds during the explosion remains hospitalized while all others were released from hospitals after they were examined and received medical assistance.
Serpukhov
Investigative Committee spokeswoman Olga Vrady said investigators were currently unable to interrogate the suspect, as he was in very serious condition as doctors "fight to save his life."
According to Vrady, investigators have searched the suspect's apartment and confiscated items and substances that "will be assessed by experts," and are currently interrogating the suspect's relatives and friends, as well as the high school's staff members.
The Investigative Committee has launched a probe against Struzhenkov, accusing him of "attempted murder" and "illegal possession of explosive substances."
The Interfax news agency quoted a source close to law enforcement as saying that, according to preliminary investigations, the suspected bomber had been bullied while a student at the institution.