The Investigation Committee continues to investigate a criminal case over taking a hostage in Happiness shopping centre in Minsk.
A suspect is a man born in 1991 residing in the Masty district (the Hrodna region), charter97.org learnt from the press service of the Investigation Committee.
“It was revealed that he entered the foreign currency exchange office threatening with an item resembling a Makarov pistol. He locked the door from inside and took a hostage, a foreign exchange cashier (born in 1995). The man threatened to kill or injure the girl. He wanted police officers to allow him leave the scene unimpeded with the stolen money.
A group of investigators, police top officers, representatives of the Investigation Committee, prosecution agencies, the State Forensic Committee arrived at the scene.
Several hours of talks didn't give any results, so a decision to use force was taken. The man was neutralised due to professional actions by officers of the special anti-terrorist squad Almaz. The hostage was not injured. She received psychological aid,” the Committee says.
The suspect is under police guard at hospital.
Investigators question witnesses and examine CCTV footage to figure out all details on the incident. A number of expert examinations, including ballistics tests and forensic assessments of the victim and the suspect, will be carried out. The item resembling a pistol, which was seized from the suspect, was sent for examination.
