MAKHACHKALA, January 9 (RIA Novosti) - A local lawmaker escaped uninjured when his car exploded in Russia's North Caucasus Republic of Daghestan, a spokesman for the regional prosecutor's office said.

An SUV carrying Gazi Gaziyev, deputy of Daghestan's People Assembly and regional railways chief, exploded at 8.20 a.m. Moscow time (5.20 a.m. GMT) in the center of the capital, Makhachkala.

According to unconfirmed reports, the blast injured two passersby.

The republic's emergencies service said earlier both Gaziyev and his driver had been wounded and taken to hospital.

The prosecutor's office has opened an attempted murder investigation.