A car that exploded in downtown Moscow on Tverskaya Street Monday night, injuring two people, was an act of hooliganism, not a terrorist attack, police said.

The 42-year-old driver of the Toyota Camry was hospitalized with hip and leg injuries, while his female passenger received a slight concussion.

Experts said the explosive device, which was equivalent to 100-150 grams of TNT, had been planted beneath the driver`s seat.

Criminal proceedings have been launched on charges of hooliganism and explosives trafficking, the punishment for which ranges from seven to eight years imprisonment.

The explosion was possibly an attempt to intimidate the car`s owner, a businessman from Yakutia.

Police put forward several versions of the incident, including professional conflicts and personal animosity.

A terrorist attack in August 2000 near the site of Monday`s explosion, adjacent to the Pushkinskaya metro station, killed 10 people.
sections: Accidents, Region News
areas: Central region