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Factory in Vitsyebsk confirms that man named by news website as bombing suspect was its employee

A representative of the Vitsyebsk Tractor Parts Factory confirmed a report on Monday that Dzmitry Kanavalaw, the man described by a Russian news website as the suspected perpetrator of last week's subway bombing in Minsk, had been the company's employee in the past.

Russia's Life News reported that among those arrested in connection with the bomb attack were Mr. Kanavalaw, as well as Uladzislaw Kavalyow and a certain Myadzvedzew, all of whom hail from Vitsyebsk. It said that Mr. Kanavalaw, now 25, had worked at the factory before moving to Minsk.

When reached by BelaPAN, a representative of the factory's personnel department said that Mr. Kanavalaw had worked at the enterprise as a mechanic. He declined to elaborate.

The Committee for State Security refused on Monday to identify the people arrested over the bombing, citing secrecy requirements and the need to protect their families.

Speaking last week, Alyaksandr Lukashenka said that the two bombing suspects arrested by April 13 were ordinary employees working as a lathe operator and an electrician. //BelaPAN