Chechen rebel leader claims Moscow airport bombing

Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov has claimed responsibility for last month's bombing at Moscow airport that killed 36 people. In a video posted on a website, Umarov said the operation was carried out under his order.

Reuters

Umarov said he was acting in the name of Allah and the aim of the attack was to set up an Islamic state in the North Caucasus, which he called the "Caucasus Emirate."

He added that the blast was also to avenge what he called Russian 'crimes' in his home region, and that he staged the blast in the international arrivals hall of Domodedovo airport in Moscow to kill foreigners.

Russian officials said the attack was carried out by a 20-year-old from Ingushetia, a region in the North Caucasus. Interfax news agency reported he was high on drugs.

"God willing we will make this year a year of blood and tears for you," Umarov had warned Moscow earlier in a video.