4 men detained in east Ukraine bombings

KIEV, Ukraine – Ukraine's top prosecutor general says four men have been detained on suspicion of involvement in a series of explosions in an eastern city and that the crime may have been politically motivated.

Four makeshift bombs planted in garbage bins went off in Dnipropetrovsk on April 27, injuring 31 passers-by, including nine teenagers. Police alleged that the detained suspects had demanded $4.5 million from authorities to cancel their plans.

Prosecutor General Viktor Pshonka told reporters Friday that the crime is being investigated as a terrorist attack. He also suggested the suspects were driven by their political convictions. He did not elaborate.

President Viktor Yanukovych has ordered law enforcement agencies to step up security measures ahead of the European soccer championship to be held this month in Ukraine and Poland.