Russian MP and her husband killed in car explosion - Telegraph

The Siberian Times said that the couple had marital problems, with unconfirmed reports that she had been accused of infidelity.

According to local sources their relationship had been strained because Mr Bobrovsky was unemployed, leaving his wife as the sole breadwinner. The couple had a four-year-old daughter.

In addition to serving as an MP, Mrs Bobrovskaya was deputy general director of Diskus Plus company, one of Novosibirsk largest building firms.

The car exploded just outside the company’s offices.

One witness said: “I heard a clap, but not very loud. Like a shot. I thought may be something had fallen from the apartment block roof onto a car, or cars had collided. There were no screams.

“Residents gazed through their windows, I went to see. I saw that the two were in the back seat."

There was also speculation that a bomb had been placed in the car some time earlier with Mr Bobrovsky the intended victim.

However, suggestions of terrorism were discounted by Anatoly Lokot, the mayor of Novosibirsk.

“All versions regarding a terrorist act are withdrawn. 'This was not a terrorist act'," he said.