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Bankrupt man with ‘explosive device’ takes hostages at Moscow bank Bankrupt man with ‘explosive device’ takes hostages at Moscow bank
(35 minutes later)
A man has taken several people hostage at a bank in downtown Moscow, local media report, citing security officials. Police are in talks with the hostage-taker, who reportedly has an explosive device.A man has taken several people hostage at a bank in downtown Moscow, local media report, citing security officials. Police are in talks with the hostage-taker, who reportedly has an explosive device.
The incident is taking place at a Citibank office on Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street, according to TASS.The incident is taking place at a Citibank office on Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street, according to TASS.
Three of the bank’s staff members and one customer are inside the building, where the man is threatening to blow himself up, TASS reports, citing the Interior Ministry.Three of the bank’s staff members and one customer are inside the building, where the man is threatening to blow himself up, TASS reports, citing the Interior Ministry.
According to some media reports, the man first took seven people hostage but then let three women go, one after another.According to some media reports, the man first took seven people hostage but then let three women go, one after another.
Other media outlets say the man took five people hostage and is now holding two of them, after releasing three women.Other media outlets say the man took five people hostage and is now holding two of them, after releasing three women.
Only one person is still being held hostage in the bank in central Moscow, according to the Russian Investigative Committee.
Police have reportedly identified the man involved in the hostage siege.Police have reportedly identified the man involved in the hostage siege.
Earlier Wednesday, the hostage taker, who turned out to be a bankrupt businessman, recorded a video, in which he warned that he was planning to break the law, and posted it on social media. In his video address he tried to draw attention to his case and said that bankruptcy should be regarded as a disease. He also called for the establishment of a special “rehabilitation center” for bankrupt businessmen.Earlier Wednesday, the hostage taker, who turned out to be a bankrupt businessman, recorded a video, in which he warned that he was planning to break the law, and posted it on social media. In his video address he tried to draw attention to his case and said that bankruptcy should be regarded as a disease. He also called for the establishment of a special “rehabilitation center” for bankrupt businessmen.
A negotiator has entered the office and a number of high-ranking police officials have also arrived at the scene. Moscow Police Commissioner Anatoly Yakunin has personally entered into negotiations with the hostage-taker, TASS reports, citing a police source.A negotiator has entered the office and a number of high-ranking police officials have also arrived at the scene. Moscow Police Commissioner Anatoly Yakunin has personally entered into negotiations with the hostage-taker, TASS reports, citing a police source.
A Rapid Deployment Police Task Force detachment, Russian National Guard units and Federal Security Service (FSB) officers were deployed to the scene.A Rapid Deployment Police Task Force detachment, Russian National Guard units and Federal Security Service (FSB) officers were deployed to the scene.
The area around the bank office has been blocked by police.The area around the bank office has been blocked by police.
The man entered the bank office and “put up a poster saying he was demanding a negotiator.” He then asked to call the police, bank employees who managed to escape from the building told TASS.The man entered the bank office and “put up a poster saying he was demanding a negotiator.” He then asked to call the police, bank employees who managed to escape from the building told TASS.
They added that the man threatened to set off an explosive device, and that he said he had nothing against the bank itself. His motives are yet unclear.They added that the man threatened to set off an explosive device, and that he said he had nothing against the bank itself. His motives are yet unclear.
Citibank “is working with the law enforcement authorities to resolve the situation” at the office “as soon as possible,” a spokesperson for the bank told TASS, confirming the incident.Citibank “is working with the law enforcement authorities to resolve the situation” at the office “as soon as possible,” a spokesperson for the bank told TASS, confirming the incident.