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Beslan school hostage crisis
Photos of the victims on the walls of the former SNO
Location	Beslan, North Ossetia-Alania (Russia)
Date	1 September 2004 ~9:30am – 3 September 2004 ~5:00pm (UTC+3)
Attack type	Hostage taking
Deaths	At least 386
Injured	Some 783 severely[1]
Perpetrator(s)	Riyadus Salihiin

The Republic of North Ossetia in Russia

The Beslan school hostage crisis (also referred to as the Beslan school siege or Beslan massacre)^[2][3][4] began when a group of a attackers demanding an end to the Second Chechen War took more than 1,100 schoolchildren and adults hostage on September 1, 2004, at School Number One (SNO) in the town of Beslan, North Ossetia-Alania, an autonomous republic in the North Caucasus region of the Russian Federation. On the third day of the standoff, a series of explosions shook the school, followed by a fire which engulfed the building and a chaotic gunbattle between the hostage-takers and Russian security forces. Ultimately, at least 334 hostages were killed, including 186 children.^[5][6] Hundreds more were wounded or missing in what was called "the worst terrorist attack since September 11".^[7] Image File history File links Acap. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Map of North Ossetia-Alania Beslan (Russian: ; Ossetic: ) is a town located in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Russia. ... The Republic of North Ossetia-Alania (Russian: ; Ossetic: Цгат Ирыстоны Аланийы Республик) is a federal subject of Russia (a republic). ... is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 246th day of the year (247th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... ... For other uses, see Hostage (disambiguation). ... Riyadus Salihiin is the name of a Shahid brigade of Chechen suicide bombers. ... Modification of Image:RussiaNorthOssetia. ... Modification of Image:RussiaNorthOssetia. ... The article details some of the most notorious human rights violations commited by the warring sides of the ongoing second war in Chechnya. ... 2002 Kaspiysk bombing was a May 9, 2002 land mine blast which ripped through the military parade to commemorate the 57th anniversary of Soviet victory in World War II in on Lenin Street in Kaspiysk, Dagestan. ... On Wednesday, October 23, 2002, 40 Chechen terrorists seized a crowded Moscow theatre, taking over 700 hostages and demanding the withdrawal of Russian forces from Chechenya. ... 2003 Stavropol train bombing was a December 5, 2003 suicide bomber blast which ripped through the commuter train in Stavropol Krai, Russia, which killed at least 46 people and injured more than 170. ... On 9th December 2003 a suicide bombing near Red Square in Moscow left six people dead and wounded several others. ... 2004 Moscow metro bombing was a February 6, 2004 bombing which killed 40 people in Moscow. ... The Russian aircraft bombings of August 2004 was a terrorist attack on two domestic Russian passenger aircraft at around 23:00 on August 24, 2004. ... The Republic of North Ossetia in Russia The Beslan school hostage crisis (also referred to by the media as the Beslan school siege) began when armed multinational terrorists took hundreds of schoolchildren and adults hostage on September 1, 2004 at School Number One in the Russian town of Beslan in... Combatants Russian Federation Chechen loyalists Republic of Chechnya Chechen rebels Caucasian insurgents and foreign fighters Caucasian Islamists Commanders Vladimir Putin Nikolai Patrushev Akhmad Kadyrov† Ramzan Kadyrov Aslan Maskhadov† Abdul Halim Sadulayev† Doku Umarov Shamil Basayev† Ibn al-Khattab† Strength At least 93,000 in Chechnya in 1999. ... For other uses, see Hostage (disambiguation). ... is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Map of North Ossetia-Alania Beslan (Russian: ; Ossetic: ) is a town located in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Russia. ... The Republic of North Ossetia-Alania (Russian: ; Ossetic: Цгат Ирыстоны Аланийы Республик) is a federal subject of Russia (a republic). ... A significant number of autonomous republics can be found within the successor states of the Soviet Union, but the majority are located within Russia. ... North Caucasus in Russia The North Caucasus (sometimes referred to as Ciscaucasia or Ciscaucasus) is the northern part of the Caucasus region between Europe and Asia. ... Motto: none Anthem: Hymn of the Russian Federation Capital Moscow Largest city Moscow Official language(s) Russian Government Semi-presidential Federal republic  - President of Russia Vladimir Putin  - Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov Independence From the Soviet Union   - Declared June 12, 1991   - Finalized December 25, 1991  Area    - Total 17,075,400 km... A standoff is used in mechanics and electronics to separate two parts from one another. ... Terrorist redirects here. ... A sequential look at United Flight 175 crashing into the south tower of the World Trade Center The September 11, 2001 attacks (often referred to as 9/11—pronounced nine eleven or nine one one) consisted of a series of coordinated terrorist[1] suicide attacks upon the United States, predominantly...

Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev took responsibility for the hostage taking. The tragedy led to security and political repercussions in Russia, most notably a series of government reforms consolidating power in the Kremlin and strengthening of the powers of President of Russia (such as scrapping the election of regional governors).^[8] As of 2008, there are many aspects of the crisis still in dispute, including how many militants were involved, their preparations, and whether some of them had escaped. Questions about the government's management of the crisis have also persisted, including disinformation and censorship in news media,^[9] the nature and content of negotiations with the militants, the responsibility for the bloody outcome, and the government's use of excessive force.^{[10][11][12][13]} // Geography The Chechen people are mainly inhabitants of Chechnya, which is internationally recognized as part of Russia. ... A warlord is a person with power who has de facto military control of a subnational area due to armed forces loyal to the warlord and not to a central authority. ... Shamil Basayev (Russian: ) (January 14, 1965 – July 10, 2006) was a militant Islamist and a leader of the Chechen separatist movement. ... A hostage is a person (sometimes another entity) which is held by a captor in order to compel another party to act or refrain from acting in a particular way. ... Look up reform in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article is about Russian citadels. ... The President of Russia (Russian: ) is the Head of State and highest office within the Government of Russia. ... This article is about the political process. ... For other uses, see Governor (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Disinformation (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Censor. ... News media satellite up-link trucks and photojournalists gathered outside the Prudential Financial headquarters in Newark, New Jersey in August, 2004 following the announcement of evidence of a terrorist threat to it and to buildings in New York City. ... For other uses, see Negotiation (disambiguation). ...

Course of the crisis

See also: Timeline of the Beslan school hostage crisis

The Beslan school hostage crisis (also referred to as the Beslan school siege or Beslan Massacre) began when armed terrorists took more than 1200 school children and adults hostage on September 1, 2004, at School Number One (SNO) in the Russian town of Beslan in North Ossetia. ...

Day one

Comintern Street SNO, located next to the district police station, was one of seven schools in Beslan, with some 60 teachers and several support staff, and more than 800 students.^[14] The gymnasium, where most of the estimated 1,200 hostages were to spend 52 hours, was a recent addition, measuring 10 metres wide and 25 metres long.^[15] There were reports that the men disguised as repairmen had concealed weapons and explosives in the school in during the works in July 2004, but this was later officially refuted. However, witnesses Kazbek Dzarasov and Svetlana Dzebisova have since testified they were made to help their captors remove the hidden weapon caches from the school.^[16][17] There are also claims that the militants in advance constructed a sniper's nest on the sports hall roof.^[18] The Comintern (Russian: Коммунистический Интернационал, Kommunisticheskiy Internatsional – Communist International, also known as the Third International) was an international Communist organization founded in March 1919, in the midst of the war communism period (1918-1921), by Vladimir Lenin and the Russian Communist Party (Bolshevik), which intended to fight by all available means, including... Local government areas called districts are used, or have been used, in several countries. ... A typical suburban police station in the United States (this one is in San Bruno, California). ... Modern indoor gymnasium with pull-down basketball hoops. ... 2004 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December See also: July 2004 in sports Deaths in July • 31 David B. Haight • 29 Francis Crick • 29 Nafisa Joseph • 23 Joe Cahill • 23 Mehmood • 23 Illinois Jacquet • 23 Carlos Paredes • 22 Sacha Distel • 21 Jerry Goldsmith • 21... In law and in religion, testimony is a solemn attestation as to the truth of a matter. ... For other uses, see Sniper (disambiguation). ...

It was also claimed that the SNO in Beslan was used by Ossetian militia as an internment camp for Ingush civilians during the 1992 Ossetian-Ingush conflict, and it was chosen as a target because of this connection.^[19][20][21] According to media reports, SNO was one of several buildings in which North Ossetians had held Ingush citizens, many of them women and children; the hostages sat on the gymnasium floor, deprived of food and water, just as the Ossetians would do in the 2004 siege, and several male hostages were hauled and executed outside.^[22] Beslan, like the nearby Mozdok, was also the sites of an airfield used by the Russian military aviation for its operation in Chechnya since 1994.^[23] This article is about the usage and history of the terms concentration camp, internment camp and internment. ... The Ingush are a people of the northern Caucasus, mostly inhabiting the Russian republic of Ingushetia. ... In times of armed conflict a civilian is any person who is not a combatant. ... Ossetian-Ingush conflict - armed conflict between Ossetian and Ingush people in Prigorodny District, region of North Ossetia-Alania, started in 1992. ... The Ossetians (oss. ... Map of North Ossetia, Russia Mozdok (Russian: ; Ossetian: Мæздæг) is a town in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania in southern Russia. ... For other uses, see Airport (disambiguation). ... It has been suggested that Aerial warfare be merged into this article or section. ...

Hostage-taking

The initial attack took place on September 1, the traditional start of the Russian school year, referred to as "First September" or "Day of Knowledge."^[24] On this day, the children, accompanied by their parents and other relatives, attend ceremonies hosted by their school.^[25] Because of the pupils and family members attending the Day of Knowledge festivities, the number of people in the schools was considerably higher than usual for a normal school day. is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The school year, also academic year, describes the time(s) a student goes to school, college, university etc. ...

At 09:30 local time, a group of several dozen heavily-armed rebel guerrillas wearing military camouflage and black balaclava masks, and in some cases wearing explosive belts, arrived at SNO in a stolen police GAZ van and a GAZ-66 military truck from a camp near the village of Psedakh, Ingushetia. Previously, they had captured an Ingush police Major, Sultan Gurazhev, but released him after reaching Beslan.^[26] Independent experts and witnesses claim that there were, in fact, two groups of terrorists, and that the first group was already at the school when the second group arrived by truck.^[27] At first, some at the school mistook the attackers for Russian forces practicing a security drill.^[28] However, the attackers resolved this misconception by shooting in the air and forcing everybody from the school grounds into the building. During the initial chaos, up to 50 people managed to flee and alert authorities to the situation.^[29] A number of people also managed to hide in the boiler room.^[15] After an exchange of gunfire with local police and an armed civilian, in which it was reported one attacker was shot dead and two were wounded, the attackers seized the school building.^[30] An example of common camouflage The Bronze Horseman camouflaged from the German aircraft during the Siege of Leningrad (August 8, 1941) Camouflage became an essential part of modern military tactics after the increase in accuracy and rate of fire of weapons at the end of the 19th century. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Explosive belt (technically, a vest) worn by a Palestinian bomber captured by Israeli police An explosive belt (also called suicide belt, suicide vest or shaheed belt) is a vest packed with explosives and armed with a detonator, worn by suicide bombers. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... GAZ-66 is a Russian 4x4 all-road military truck produced by GAZ. It was the main transport vehicle for motorized infantry of the Soviet Army and is still employed in former USSR countries. ... The Republic of Ingushetia (Russian: ; Ingush: ГӀалгӀай Мохк) is a federal subject of Russia. ... Major is a military rank the use of which varies according to country. ... A boiler is a closed vessel in which water or other fluid is heated. ...

The attackers took approximately 1,100^[31] to 1,200^[13] hostages. They herded the hostages into the school's gym, and confiscated all mobile phones under the pain of death.^[32] They ordered everyone to speak in Russian and only when spoken to; when a father named Ruslan Betrozov stood to calm people and repeat the rules in the local language, Ossetic, a gunman approached and killed him with a single shot to the head. Another father named Vadim Bolloyev, who refused to kneel, was also shot and then bled to death.^[33] Reportedly, they also killed a man whom they had caught using his phone.^[15] The bodies were dragged from the sports hall, leaving a trail of blood later visible in the video. The Entholinguistic patchwork of the modern Caucasus - CIA map Ossetic or Ossetian (Ossetic: or , Persian: اوسِتی) is an Iranian language spoken in Ossetia, a region on the slopes of the Caucasus mountains on the borders of Russia and Georgia. ...

After gathering the hostages in the gym, the attackers singled out among the male teachers, school employees and fathers the 17 strongest adults they apparently thought might represent a threat, took into another room on the second floor. There, they shot them with automatic rifles, killing all but two of them.^{[34][35][36][37][38]} The militants then forced other hostages to throw the bodies out of the building and to wash the blood off the floor.^[39] Karen Mdinaradze, the Alania football team's cameraman, survived the shooting as well as a mysterious explosion in which he lost his eye.^[40] Apparently, one of the female bombers accidentally detonated her explosive belt, killing another female (it was also claimed the second woman died from a bullet wound^[41]), one male fighter, and several adult hostages. (According to another version, the blast was actually triggered by Polkovnik, the group leader, when he set off the bomb by remote control to kill those who openly disagreed about the child hostages and intimidate other possible dissenters.^[42]) Another man named Aslan Kudzayev survived by jumping out the window and escaping; the authorities briefly detained him as a suspected terrorist.^[33] Heckler & Koch G41 automatic rifles are legal in asutralia an america with lisence An automatic rifle is a term generally used to describe a self-loading rifle capable of firing either semi or fully-automatically from a magazine or belt of ammunition. ... Karen Mdinaradze is a survivor of the Beslan school hostage crisis on September 1, 2004. ... ALania can refer to: Yhe feudal state of Alans. ... Polkovnik (Russian: ), universally treated as Colonel, began as a commander of a distinct group of troops, Old Slavonic polk (полк), arranged for a particular battle. ... For other uses, see Remote control (disambiguation). ...

Beginning of the siege

Overhead map of school showing initial positions of Russian forces

A disorganized security cordon was soon established around the school, consisting of the police (Militsiya) and Russian Army forces; OSNAZ, including the elite Alfa and Vympel units of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB); and the OMON special units of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD). A line of three apartment buildings facing the school gym was evacuated and taken over by the special forces. The perimeter they did make was within 250 yards of the school, inside the range of the terrorists' grenade launchers.^[43] No fire-fighting equipment was in position and, despite the previous experiences of the 2002 Moscow theater hostage crisis, there were few ambulances ready.^[15] There was not one sapper among the Russian special forces, despite the building being heavily mined.^[44] The chaos was worsened by the presence of Ossetian militiamen (opolchentsy) and armed civilians among the crowds of relatives who had gathered at the scene (there were perhaps as many as 5,000 of them^[15]).^[45] Image File history File links Beslan_hostage_crisis_initial_plan. ... Image File history File links Beslan_hostage_crisis_initial_plan. ... In russian, word army means armed forces in general. ... OSNAZ (Russian: [voiska] osobogo naznacheniya, ОСНАЗ = [войска] особого назначения, special purpose [detachments]) or ChON (Russian: chasti osobogo naznacheniya, ЧОН= Части особого назначения were special forces troops within the KGB (its predecessors and its successor, Federal Security Service) and the MVD. OSNAZ has always been shrouded in a veil of mystery and remains so even to this day. ... A member of the FSB Alpha Group, equipped with the silenced AS VAL assault rifle. ... Emblem of Vympel Vympel (Russian: Вымпел meaning Pennant, also known as Vega Group or Spetsgruppa V) is a Russian counter-terrorism unit. ... For other uses, see FSB. Minor emblem of FSB The FSB (Federal Security Service) (Russian: ФСБ, Федера́льная слу́жба безопа́сности; Federalnaya Sluzhba Bezopasnosti) is a domestic state security agency of the Russian Federation and the main successor of the Soviet Cheka, NKVD, and KGB. Its headquarters are in Lubyanka Square, Moscow. ... The OMON insignia OMON (Russian: Отряд милиции особого назначения; Otryad Militsii Osobogo Naznacheniya, Special Purpose Detachment of Militsiya) is a generic name for the system of special units of militsiya (state police) within the Russian and earlier the Soviet, Ministerstvo Vnutrennih Del (MVD; Ministry of Internal Affairs). ... Modern emblem of Russian MVD Russian Gendarme officers in the 1860s The Ministerstvo Vnutrennikh Del (MVD) (Министерство внутренних дел) was the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the imperial Russia, later USSR, and still bears the same name in Russia. ... A red brick apartment block in central London, England, on the north bank of the Thames An apartment building, block of flats or tenement is a multi-unit dwelling made up of several (generally four or more) apartments (US) or flats (UK). ... This article is about the distance around an object. ... This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... An ambulance in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico A Helicopter used as an Ambulance. ... Combat engineers place satchel charges and detonating cord, preparatory to blowing up a railway bridge during the Korean War, 30 July 1950 Combat engineering is the practice of using the knowledge, tools and techniques of engineering in combat. ... Lebanese Kataeb militia The term Militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary [1] citizens to provide defense, emergency, law enforcement, or paramilitary service, and those engaged in such activity, without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. ...

Hundreds of hostages packed into the school gym with wired explosives attached to the basketball hoop.
The video tape made by the terrorists and given to Ruslan Aushev on September 2 was declared "blank" by the government,^[46] even though a fragment was shown on Russian NTV television several days later. Another fragment was acquired by media in January 2005.^[34]

The attackers mined the gym and the rest of the building with improvised explosive devices, and surrounded it with tripwires. In a further bid to deter rescue attempts, they threatened to kill 50 hostages for every one of their own members killed by the police, and to kill 20 hostages for every gunman injured.^[15] They also threatened to blow up the school if government forces attacked. To avoid being overwhelmed by gas attack like their comrades in the 2002 Moscow Dubrovka siege, the rebels quickly smashed the school's windows. Guerrillas prevented the hostages from eating and drinking until North Ossetia's President Alexander Dzasokhov would arrive to negotiate with them.^[39] However, the FSB set up their own crisis headquarters (HQ) from which Dzasokhov was excluded, and threatened to arrest him if he tried to go to the school.^[13] Beslan School Terror - during 2 - Sept 1, 2004 Fair Use This work is copyrighted. ... Beslan School Terror - during 2 - Sept 1, 2004 Fair Use This work is copyrighted. ... U.S. Army soldier removes fuse from a Russian-made mine to clear a minefield outside of Fallujah, Iraq. ... Munitions rigged for an IED discovered by Iraqi police in Baghdad, November 2005. ... This article is about an antipersonnel trap designed for use against humans. ... Look up gunman in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

The Russian government annonounced that it would not use force to rescue the hostages, and negotiations towards a peaceful resolution took place on the first and second days, at first led by Leonid Roshal, a pediatrician whom the hostage takers had reportedly asked for by name; Roshal had helped negotiate the release of children in the 2002 Moscow siege. According to the witness in court, however, Russian negotiators confused him with Vladimir Rushailo, a Russian security official.^[47] According to Savelyev Report, the secret HQ was preparing the assault, while the "civilian" (official) HQ was looking for a peaceful resolution of the situation through negotiations. In many ways the other HQ restricted the actions of the "civilians", in particular in their attempts to negotiate with the militants.^[48] Leonid Roshal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Pediatrics (also spelled paediatrics or pædiatrics) is the branch of medicine that deals with the medical care of infants and children. ... Vladimir Rushailo Vladimir Rushailo (born 1953 in Tambov) is a Russian politician. ...

At Russia's request, a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council was convened on the evening of September 1, at which the council members demanded "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages of the terrorist attack".^[49] U.S. President George W. Bush made a statement offering "support in any form" to Russia.^[50] That night, the hostage takers began exploring the area surrounding the school, preparing for an exit strategy once their demands had been met.^[51] “Security Council” redirects here. ... For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      For other uses, see President of the United States (disambiguation). ... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the forty-third and current President of the United States of America, originally inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ...

Day two

On September 2, 2004, negotiations between Roshal and the hostage-takers proved unsuccessful, and they refused to allow food, water, and medicines to be taken in for the hostages, or for the bodies of the dead to be removed from the front of the school.^[33] The Russian government downplayed the numbers, repeatedly stating there were only 354 hostages; this reportedly angered the attackers who further mistreated their captives.^[52][53] Several officials also said there appeared to be only 15 to 20 guerrillas.^[14] is the 245th day of the year (246th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

There was near-total silence from President of Russia Vladimir Putin and the rest of Russia's political leaders.^[54] Only on the second day Putin made his first public comment on the siege during a meeting in Moscow with the King Abdullah II of Jordan: "Our main task, of course, is to save the lives and health of those who became hostages. All actions by our forces involved in rescuing the hostages will be dedicated exclusively to this task."^[55] It was the only public statement by Putin the rest of the crisis until one day after its bloody end.^[54] The President of Russia (Russian: ) is the Head of State and highest office within the Government of Russia. ... Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (Russian: ) (born October 7, 1952) is the current President of the Russian Federation. ... Look up king in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... as-Sayyid Abdullah II bin al-Hussein al Hashimi, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (Arabic: ) (born January 30, 1962, in Amman, Jordan), has been the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan since February 7, 1999. ...

At noon, FSB First Deputy Director Colonel General Vladimir Pronichev showed Dzasokhov a decree signed by the Prime Minister of Russia Mikhail Fradkov appointing North Ossetian FSB chief Major General Valery Andreyev as head of the operational HQ.^[56] In April 2005, however, a Moscow News journalist received photocopies of the interview protocols of Dzasokhov and Andreyev by investigators that revealed that two headquarters had been formed in Beslan: a formal one, upon which was lain all responsibility; and a secret one, which took the real decisions, and Andreyev had never been in charge there.^[57] Colonel General is a senior military rank which is used in some of the world’s militaries. ... General of the Army Vladimir Yegorovich Pronichev is the current head of the Border Guard Service of the Russian Federation. ... Decree is an order that has the force of law. ... The Prime Minister of Russia is the current Head of Government of the Russian Federation. ... Mikhail Yefimovich Fradkov (Russian: ) (born September 1, 1950) is a Russian politician who has been the Prime Minister of Russia since March 2004. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... The Moscow News, which began publication in 1930, is Russia’s most successful independent English-language publication newspaper. ... A small, much-used Xerox copier in a high school library. ... Look up Protocol in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

In the afternoon, the gunmen allowed the former President of Ingushetia and retired Soviet Army general, Ruslan Aushev, to enter the school building and released 26 hostages personally to him (11 nursing women and 15 children).^[58][37][59] The womens' older children were left behind; one mother refused to leave and Aushev carried out her child instead.^[34] The rebels gave Aushev a video tape made in the school and a note with demands from their leader Shamil Basayev who was not himself present in Beslan. The existence of the note was kept secret by the Russian authorities, while the tape was declared being "empty". It was falsely announced that the hostage takers made no demands.^[60] In fact, Basayev demanded recognition of a "formal independence for Chechnya" in the frame of the Commonwealth of Independent States. He also said that although the rebels "had played no part" in Russian apartment bombings", they would now publicly take responsibility for them if needed.^[60] This article is about the armed forces of the Soviet Union. ... Ruslan Aushev is the former Ingushetia president (March 1993 to December 2001). ... Shamil Basayev (Russian: ) (January 14, 1965 – July 10, 2006) was a militant Islamist and a leader of the Chechen separatist movement. ...  Member state  Associate member Headquarters Minsk, Belarus Working language Russian Type Commonwealth Membership 11 member states 1 associate member Leaders  -  Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev Establishment December 21, 1991 Website http://cis. ... The Russian apartment bombings were a series of bombings in Russia that killed nearly 300 people and led the country into the Second Chechen War. ...

Contact was made with Aslan Maskhadov, separatist President of Ichkeria, by Aushev and Izrail Totoonti, North Ossetian First Deputy Chairman of the Parliament. Totoonti said that both Maskhadov and his Western-based emissary Akhmed Zakayev declared they were ready to fly to Beslan to negotiate with the militants. Totoonti said that Maskhadov's sole demand was his unhindered passage to the school; however, the assault began an hour after the agreement on his arrival was made.^[61][62] He also mentioned that journalists from Al Jazeera television offered for three days to participate in the negotiations and enter the school even as hostages, "but their services were not needed by anyone".^[63] Aslan Maskhadov Aslan Aliyevich Maskhadov (Russian: Аслан Алиевич Масхадов) (September 21, 1951 – March 8, 2005) was a leader of the separatist movement in the southern Russian republic of Chechnya. ... This is a list of Presidents of the unrecognised Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, a separatist movement that controlled most of Chechnya from 1991 to 1999 (see First Chechen War, Second Chechen War). ... A Chairman is the presiding officer of a meeting, organization, committee, or other deliberative body. ... Vanessa Redgrave and Akhmed Zakayev Akhmed Zakayev (Ахмед Закаев; born April 26, 1956) is the Foreign Minister of Chechen republic government-in-exile, appointed by the President Aslan Maskhadov shortly after his 1997 election, and again in 2006 by Abdul Halim Sadulayev. ... Al Jazeera logo Al Jazeera (الجزيرة), meaning The Island or The (Arabian) Peninsula (whence also Algiers) is an Arabic television channel based in Qatar. ...

Russian presidential advisor and former police general, Chechen Aslambek Aslakhanov, was also said to be close to breakthrough in the secret negotiations. By the time he left Moscow, Aslakhanov had accumulated the names of more than well-known 700 Russians figures who were volunteering to enter the school as hostages in exchange for the release of children. Aslakhanov said the hostage-takers agreed to allow him to enter the school the next day at 3 p.m. - two hours before the first explosion.^[64] List of Presidents of Russia Boris Yeltsin1 (July 10, 1991 – December 31, 1999) two terms. ... // Geography The Chechen people are mainly inhabitants of Chechnya, which is internationally recognized as part of Russia. ... Aslambek Aslakhanov is the State Duma deputy from Chechnya, advisor and aide for the Russian president Vladimir Putin. ... The 12-hour clock is a timekeeping convention in which the 24 hours of the day are divided into two periods called ante meridiem (AM, Latin for before noon) and post meridiem (PM, Latin for after noon). Each period consists of 12 hours numbered 12, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...

The lack of food and water took its toll on the young children, many of whom were forced to stand for long periods in the hot, tightly-packed gym. Many children took off their clothing because of the sweltering heat within the gymnasium, which led to rumors of sexual impropriety, though the hostages later explained it was merely due to the stifling heat and being denied any water. Many children fainted, and parents feared they would die. Some hostages drank their own urine. Occasionally, the militants (many of whom took off their masks) took out some of the unconscious children and poured water on their heads before returning them to the gym. Later in the day, some adults also started to faint from fatigue and thirst. Because of the conditions in the gym, when the explosion and gun battle began on the third day, many of the surviving children were so fatigued that they were barely able to flee from the carnage.^[32][65] This article is about the urine of animals generally. ... Fatigue may refer to: Fatigue (physical) - tiredness in humans Fatigue (material) - failure by repeated stress in materials Fatigues (uniform) - military uniform (BDU or ACU) Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - a medical condition Battle fatigue - also known as Post-traumatic stress disorder Readers fatigue - a side-effect of parsing poorly formatted textual...

At around 15:30, two grenades were fired approximately ten minutes apart by the hostage-takers at security forces outside the school,^[66] setting a police car ablaze, but the Russian forces did not return fire. As the day and night wore on, the combination of stress and sleep deprivation — and possibly drug withdrawal^[67] — made the hostage takers increasingly hysterical and unpredictable. The crying of the children irritated them, and on several occasions crying children and their mothers were threatened with being shot if they would not stop crying.^[28] Russian authorities claimed that the hostage-takers had "listened to German hard rock group Rammstein on personal stereos during the siege to keep themselves edgy and fired up."^[68] Grenade may refer to: The well-known hand grenade commonly used by soldiers. ... In medical terms, stress is the disruption of homeostasis through physical or psychological stimuli. ... Sleep deprivation is a general lack of the necessary amount of sleep. ... Withdrawal, also known as withdrawal syndrome, refers to the characteristic signs and symptoms that appear when a drug that causes physical dependence is regularly used for a long time and then suddenly discontinued or decreased in dosage. ... Hyster Company was a manufacturing company specializing in forklifts and other materials-handling equipment. ... Hard Rock redirects here. ... For other uses, see Ramstein. ... For the box set by No Doubt, see Boom Box (No Doubt box set). ...

Overnight, a police officer was wounded by shots fired from the school. Talks were broken off, then resumed the next day.^[55]

Day three

Rough plan of school showing removal vehicle and damaged gym

Around 13:00 on September 3, 2004, it was agreed to allow four Emergency Ministry medical workers in two ambulances to remove 20 bodies from the school grounds, as well as to bring the corpse of the killed rebel to the school. However, at 13:03, when the paramedics approached the school, an explosion was heard from the gymnasium and the hostage-takers opened fire, killing two of them.^[39] Beslan school rough plan of hostage crisis on 2004 September 3 showing the position of the vehicle attempting to retrieve the bodies killed at the start of the siege. ... Beslan school rough plan of hostage crisis on 2004 September 3 showing the position of the vehicle attempting to retrieve the bodies killed at the start of the siege. ... is the 246th day of the year (247th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Star of Life, a globally recognised symbol for emergency medical services A paramedic is a medical professional, usually a member of the emergency medical service, who responds to medical and trauma emergencies in the pre-hospital environment, provides emergency treatment and, when appropriate, transports a patient to definitive care...

The second, "strange-sounding",^[15] explosion was heard 22 seconds later. At 13:05 the fire on the roof of the sports hall started and soon the burning rafters and lagging fell onto the hostages below, many of them wounded but still living.^[48] Eventually, the entire roof collapsed. The flames reportedly killed some 160 people (more than half of the hostage fatalities).^[18]

There were several conflicting versions of the events leading to the storming:

• The negotiator Aslambek Aslakhanov said that the cause of the firing and the subsequent storming of the school had been an accidental explosion.^[69] According to an early official version, one of the bombs had been insecurely attached with adhesive tape, had fallen and then exploded.^[70]

• Ruslan Aushev, another key negotiator during the siege, said that an initial explosion was set off by a hostage-taker accidentally tripping over a wire. As a result, armed civilians, some of them apparently fathers of the hostages, started shooting. Reportedly, no security forces or hostage-takers were shooting at this point, but Aushev concluded that the gunfire led the hostage-takers to believe that the school was being stormed.^[71]

• Igor Senin, president of the association of Alpha Group veterans, said that somebody in the school building probably accidentally set off a hand grenade, after which the terrorists decided they were being attacked and "exploded several other devices and opened fire".^[72]

Masked hostage-taker standing on a "dead man" detonator during the second day of the crisis (a frame from the Aushev tape).

• According to an another version, used in the 2005 Kesayev Report, a federal forces sniper shot a hostage-taker whose foot was on a dead man's switch detonator, triggering the first blast.^[73] The captured terrorist Nur-Pashi Kulayev has testified this, while a local policewoman and hostage Fatima Dudiyeva said she was shot in the hand "from outside" just before the explosion.^[73] (Other media reports said Kesayev actually rejected the sniper shot theory,^[74] saying there were three explosions, including two grenade impacts at 13:03 and 13:05 followed by the actual bomb explosion at 13:29.^[75])

• A fifth version put forward by witnesses in court testified that the initial explosion was triggered by a grenade launcher or flamethrower fired from a nearby building. A Duma member and weapons and explosives expert Yuri Savelyev claims that the exchange of gunfire was not begun by explosions within the school building but by two shots fired from outside the gymnasium (one from a RPO-A Shmel (Bumblebee) flamethrower fired at gymnasium attic, and one from a RShG-1 rocket propelled grenade launcher that destroyed a fragment of the gym wall) and that the home-made explosive devices installed by the rebels did not explode at all.^[17][76][77] The 2006 Savelyev Report, devoting 280 pages to determining responsibility for the initial blast, concludes that the authorities decided to storm the school building, but wanted to create the impression they were acting in response to actions taken by the hostage takers.^[78] Savelyev, a dissenting Torshin commission member, claims these explosions killed many of the hostages and dozens more died in the resulting fire.^[79] Yuri Ivanov, another parliamentary investigator, further contended that the grenades were fired on the direct orders of President Putin.^[80]

• In a sixth version, Alexander Torshin of a Russian parliamentary commission said the terrorists had started the battle by intentionally detonating bombs among the hostages, to the surprise of Russian negotiators and commanders. That statement went beyond previous government accounts, which have typically said the bombs exploded in an unexplained accident.^[81] The December 2006 Torshin Report says the hostage taking was planned as a suicide attack from the beginning and that no storming of the building was prepared in advance.^[78]

Part of the sports hall wall was demolished by the explosions, allowing some 14 hostages to escape,^[15] though a number were killed as a result of crossfire.^[82] Russian officials say militants shot hostages as they ran, and the military fired back.^[73] The government asserts that once the shooting started, soldiers had no choice but to storm the building. However, most of the town's residents have refuted that official version of events.^[83] Grenade redirects here. ... Image File history File links Beslan-school-hostage-crisis. ... Image File history File links Beslan-school-hostage-crisis. ... A dead mans switch (for other names, see Alternative names), as its name suggests, is a device intended to stop a machine in case the human operator becomes incapacitated, and is a form of fail-safe. ... A detonator is a device used to trigger bombs, shaped charges and other forms of explosive material and explosive devices. ... Kulayev following raid A native of Engenoi, Chechnya, Nur-Pashi Kulayev is thought to be the sole survivor of the 32 hostage-takers in the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis, although Shamil Basayev denies the claim, stating that one other escaped[1] 24, and an unemployed carpenter at the time... Riverboat of the U.S. Brownwater Navy shooting ignited napalm from its mounted flamethrower during the Vietnam war. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with State Duma. ... A RPO-A rocket and launcher. ... This article is about the area generally found above a house. ... RPG-18 rocket and launcher The RPG-26 is a man-portable disposable anti-tank rocket launcher developed by the Soviet Union. ... An RPG-7 captured by the US Army RPG, or Rocket propelled grenade is a loose term describing hand-held, shoulder-launched anti-tank weapons capable of firing an unguided rocket equipped with an explosive warhead. ... A suicide attack is an attack on a military or civilian target, in which an attacker intends to kill others, and knows that they will either certainly or most likely die in the process (see suicide). ...

Police Lieutenant Colonel Elbrus Nogayev, whose wife and daughter died in the school, said: "I heard a command saying, 'Stop shooting! Stop shooting!' while other soldiers' radios said, 'Attack!'"^[43] As the fighting begun, an oil company president and negotiator Mikhail Gutseriyev (ethnic Ingush) phoned the hostage-takers; he heard "You tricked us!" in answer. Five hours later, Gutseriyev and his interlocutor reportedly had their last conversation, the man said: "The blame is yours and the Kremlin's."^[64] In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... The oil industry is a type of industry which brings petroleum to a market. ...

According to Torshin, the order to start the operation was given by the head of the North Ossetian FSB Valery Andreyev.^[84] However, statements by both Andreyev and the President Dzasokhov indicated that it was deputy FSB directors Vladimir Pronichev and Vladimir Anisimov who were actually in charge of the Beslan operation.^[62] General Andreyev also told North Ossetia's Supreme Court that the decision to use heavy weapons during the assault was made by the head of the FSB's Special Operations Center, Colonel General Aleksandr Tikhonov.^[85] The supreme court functions as a court of last resort whose rulings cannot be challenged, in some countries, provinces and states. ... Aleksandr Tikhonov (born January 2, 1947). ...

Storming by the Russian forces

A chaotic battle broke out as the special forces fought to enter the school. The assault forces included the assault groups of the FSB OSNAZ and the associated troops of the Russian Army and the Russian Interior Ministry, supported by a number of tanks from Russia's 58th Army (commandered by Tikhonov from the military already on September 2), BTR-80 wheeled armoured personnel carriers and helicopters, including at least one Mi-24 helicopter gunship.^[44] Many local civilians also joined in the chaotic battle, having brought along their own weapons (at least one of the armed volunteers is known to have been killed). At the same time, regular conscript soldiers reportedly fled the scene as the fighting began; civilian witnesses claimed that the local police also had panicked.^[86][87] BTR-80 is a 8x8 wheeled armoured personnel carrier (APC) designed in the Soviet Union. ... East German BRDMs on parade during celebrations of the 40th anniversary of East Germany in 1989 Armoured personnel carriers (APCs) are light armoured fighting vehicles for the transport of infantry. ... For other uses, see Helicopter (disambiguation). ... The Mil Mi-24 (NATO reporting name: Hind) is a large helicopter gunship and low-capacity troop transport produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated from 1976 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and over thirty other nations. ... A helicopter gunship is a military helicopter armed for attacking targets on the ground, using automatic cannon and machinegun fire, rockets, and precision guided missiles such as the Hellfire. ...

Several powerful RPO-A Shmel rockets were fired at the school from the positions of the special forces. A total of nine empty disposable tubes were later found on the rooftops of nearby apartment blocks.^[88] The use of the Shmel rockets, classified in Russia as flamethrowers and in the West as Fuel-Air Explosives (FAE), was initially denied, but later admitted by the government.^[11][89] A report by an aide to the military prosecutor of the North Ossetian garrison stated that RPG-26 rocket-propelled grenades were used as well.^[90] The militants too used grenade launchers, firing at the Russian positions in the apartment buildings.^[15] A high-impulse thermobaric weapon (HIT), also known as a fuel-air explosive (FAE or FAX), a heat and pressure weapon, or a vacuum bomb, consists of a container of a volatile liquid, in some designs including a finely powdered explosive component as a slurry, and (typically) two separate explosive... The prosecutor is the chief legal representative of the prosecution in countries adopting the common law adversarial system or the civil law inquisitorial system. ... For people named Garrison, see Garrison (disambiguation) Garrison House, built by William Damm in 1675 at Dover, New Hampshire Garrison (from the French garnison, itself from the verb garnir, to equip) is the collective term for the body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it, but... RPG-18 rocket and launcher The RPG-26 is a man-portable disposable anti-tank rocket launcher developed by the Soviet Union. ...

Witnesses (among them Totoonti^[63] and Kesayev^[78]) and journalists saw two T-72 tanks advance on the school that afternoon, at least one of which fired its 125 mm main gun several times. During the later trial, the tank unit commander testified the tank fired "one blank shot and six antipersonnel-high explosive shells" on orders from the FSB.^[91] The use of tanks and armoured personnel carriers was eventually admitted by Lieutenant General Viktor Sobolev, commander of the 58th Army.^[44] The Russian government defended the use of tanks and other heavy weaponry, arguing that it was used after surviving hostages escaped from the school. However, this contradicts the eyewitness accounts (including by reporters, photographers and videographers^[92]), as many hostages were seriously wounded and could not possibly escape by themselves, while others were kept by the militants as human shields and moved through the building. Some 20 to 30 of them were herded into the school cafeteria,^[93] where the hostages were forced to stand at windows as human shields and were quickly shot by troops outside, survivor Irina Naldikoyeva said.^[43] The T-72 is a Soviet-designed main battle tank that entered production in 1971. ... Blank cartridges, as used in nail guns Yugoslavian 7. ... An anti-personnel weapon is one primarily used to injure or kill people. ... This article is concerned solely with chemical explosives. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... This article is about journalistic reporters. ... Strictly speaking, a videographer is a person who works in the video medium — recording moving images on tape, disk, or other electro-mechanical device, or even broadcasting live. ... Human shield is a military and political term describing the presence of civilians in or around combat targets to deter an enemy from attacking those targets. ... One of a number of cafeterias at Electronic City campus, Infosys Technologies Ltd. ...

By 15:00, two hours after the assault began, Russian troops claimed control of most of the school. However, fighting was still continuing on the grounds as evening fell, including d a group holding out in the basement.^[94] During the battle, a group of 13 hostage-takers broke through the military cordon and took refuge nearby. Several hostage-takers were believed to have entered a nearby two-story building, which was destroyed by tanks and flamethrowers around 21:00, according to the Ossetian committee's findings (Kesayev Report).^[95] Another group of militants appeared to head back over the railway, chased by helicopters into the town.^[15] A townhouse with basement windows showing A basement is one or more floors of a building that are either completely or partially below the ground floor. ... This is the top-level page of WikiProject trains Rail tracks Rail transport refers to the land transport of passengers and goods along railways or railroads. ...

Firefighters, who were called by Andreyev only two hours after the fire started,^[4] were not prepared to battle the blaze that raged in the gymnasium. One fire truck arrived after two hours at their own initiative,^[96] and the first water at 15:28 (nearly two and a half hours after the start of the fire).^[48] Few ambulances were available to transport the hundreds of injured victims, who were driven in private cars.^[43] One suspected terrorist was lynched on the scene by a mob of civilians, an event filmed by the Sky News crew,^[97] while an unarmed militant was captured alive by the OMON troops while trying to hide under their truck (later identified as Nur-Pashi Kulayev). This article is about the profession. ... Engine 4 - City of Chico, CA A Fire Engine is one of many specialized fire suppression apparatuses. ... Manifestations Slavery Racial profiling Lynching Hate speech Hate crime Genocide (examples) Ethnocide Ethnic cleansing Pogrom Race war Religious persecution Gay bashing Blood libel Paternalism Police brutality Movements Policies Discriminatory Race / Religion / Sex segregation Apartheid Redlining Internment Anti-discriminatory Emancipation Civil rights Desegregation Integration Equal opportunity Counter-discriminatory Affirmative action Racial... Sky News is a 24-hour British domestic and international television news channel that started broadcasting on 5 February 1989 as part of the then four-channel Sky Television service, as well as a hourly news radio service in the UK. Broadcast of a 24-hour radio service is due...

Sporadic explosions and gunfire continued at night despite reports that all resistance by militants has been suppressed,^[98] until some 12 hours after the first explosions.^[99] Early the next day Putin ordered the borders of North Ossetia closed while some hostage takers were apparently still pursued.^[98]

Aftermath

After the bloody conclusion of the crisis, many of the injured died in the crumbling only hospital in Beslan, badly unprepared to cope with the casualties, before the patients were sent to better-equipped facilities in Vladikavkaz.^[100] There was an inadequate supply of hospital beds, medication, and neurosurgery equipment.^[101] Relatives were not allowed to visit hospitals where the wounded were treated, and doctors were not allowed to use their mobile phones.^[102][103] It was reported that an unknown number of survivors may have died as a result of a government-ordered countermeasure, called Naloxone, meant to counter the effects of Fentanyl-based drugs in the case of the Moscow-type scenario of the storming.^[104] For the town in the Republic of Ireland, see Hospital, County Limerick. ... Photo of Vladikavkaz cathedral mosque in 1912. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Insertion of an electrode during neurosurgery for Parkinsons disease. ... Naloxone is a drug used to counter the effects of opioid overdose, for example heroin and morphine overdose. ... Fentanyl is an opioid analgesic, first synthesized by Janssen Pharmaceutica (Belgium) in the late 1950s, with a potency many times that of morphine. ...

The day after the storming, bulldozers gathered the debris of the building, including the body parts of the victims, and removed it to a garbage dump.^[13] The first of the many funerals were conducted on September 4, the day after the final assault, with more the following soon including mass burials of 120 people;^[105] the local cemetery was too small and had to be expanded to an adjacent plot of land to accommodate the dead. Three days after the bloody end to the Beslan siege, 180 people were still missing.^[106] Many survivors remained in severe shock and at least one female former hostage committed suicide after returning home.^[107] For other uses, see Bulldozer (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Funeral (disambiguation). ... is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Shock is a serious medical condition where the tissue perfusion is insufficient to meet the required supply of oxygen and nutrients. ... For other uses, see Suicide (disambiguation). ...

Russian President Vladimir Putin reappered publicily during a hurried trip to the Beslan hospital in the early hours of September 4 to see several of the wounded victims (it was his only visit to Beslan).^[108] He was later criticised for not meeting the families of victims.^[98] After returning to Moscow, he ordered a two-day period of national mourning for September 6 and September 7, 2004. In his televised speech Putin paraphrased Joseph Stalin saying: "We have shown weakness. The weak ones get beaten."^[39] On the second day of mourning, estimated 135,000 people joined a government-organised rally against terrorism on the Red Square in Moscow.^[109] This article is about the general term, national day of mourning. ... is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 250th day of the year (251st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Josef Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili (Georgian: , Ioseb Besarionis Dze Jughashvili; Russian: , Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili) (December 18 [O.S. December 6] 1878[1] – March 5, 1953), better known by his adopted name, Joseph Stalin (alternatively transliterated Josef Stalin), was General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Unions Central Committee from... Look up rally in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, see Red Square (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ...

The government proceeded to toughen laws on terrorism and expand the powers of law enforcement agencies.^[8] Increased security measures were introduced to Russian cities. More than 10,000 people without proper documents were detained by Moscow police in "terrorist hunt". A high-profile incident of racist police brutality was recorded, as Colonel Magomet Tolboyev, a Hero of Russia, was beaten in the street in Moscow because of his Chechen-sounding name.^[110][111] The Russian public appeared to be generally supportive of increased security measures. A September 16, 2004, Levada-Center poll found 58% of Russians supporting stricter counter-terrorism laws and the death penalty for terrorism, while 33% would support banning all Chechens from entering Russian cities.^[112] In 2005, previously unreleased documents by the national commission in Moscow were made available to Der Spiegel: instead of calling for self-criticism in the wake of the disaster, the national commission recommended the Russian government to crack down harder.^[1] For the band, see The Police. ... Manifestations Slavery Racial profiling Lynching Hate speech Hate crime Genocide (examples) Ethnocide Ethnic cleansing Pogrom Race war Religious persecution Gay bashing Blood libel Paternalism Police brutality Movements Policies Discriminatory Race / Religion / Sex segregation Apartheid Redlining Internment Anti-discriminatory Emancipation Civil rights Desegregation Integration Equal opportunity Counter-discriminatory Affirmative action Racial... January 31 1919: David Kirkwood on the ground after being struck by batons of the Glasgow police Police brutality is a term used to describe the excessive use of physical force, assault, verbal attacks, and threats by police officers and other law enforcement officers. ... Hero of Russia (Геро́й Росси́и) is the highest honorary title of the Russian Federation (Russia). ... is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... All-Russia Center for the Study of Public Opinion (VTsIOM) Founding of VTsIOM Yuri Levada The founding and development of the agency was intertwined with the career of its founder, Yuri Levada-- the first professor to teach sociology at Moscow State University. ... Look up poll in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Counter-terrorism refers to the practices, tactics, and strategies that governments, militaries, and other groups adopt in order to fight terrorism. ... Capital punishment, or the death penalty, is the execution of a convicted criminal by the state as punishment for crimes known as capital crimes or capital offences. ... Terrorist redirects here. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Self-criticism (or auto-critique) refer to criticizing ones own beliefs, thoughts, actions, behaviour or results; it could occur in private or in public. ...

In the wake of Beslan, Vladimir Putin signed a law which replaces the direct election of the heads of the federal subjects of Russia with a system whereby they are proposed by the President of Russia and approved or disapproved by the elected legislative power bodies of the federal subjects.^[113] The election system for Russian Duma was also repeatedly amended, eliminating the election of State Duma members by single-mandate districts.^[114] The Kremlin consolidated its control over the Russian media and increasingly attacked the non-governmental organizations (especially those foreign-founded). Critics allege that the Putin's circle of siloviki used the Beslan crisis as an excuse to increase their grip on Russia.^[115] On September 16, 2004, the United States Secretary of State Colin Powell said that Russia was "pulling back on some of the democratic reforms" while George W. Bush has expressed concern that Putin's latest moves to centralize power "could undermine democracy in Russia". The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has rejected criticism, insisting the measures are an "internal matter."^[116] Russia is a federation which consists of 86 subjects[1]. These subjects are of equal federal rights in the sense that they have equal representation—two delegates each—in the Federation Council (upper house of the Russian parliament). ... For other uses, see State Duma (disambiguation). ... NGO redirects here. ... A Silovik (силови́к, plural: siloviks or siloviki, силовики́, from a Russian word for power) is a Russian politician from the old security or military services, often the KGB and military officers or other security services who came into power in the terms of Boris Yeltsin or Vladimir Putin. ... is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Seal of the United States Department of State. ... General Colin Luther Powell, United States Army (Ret. ... For other uses, see Democracy (disambiguation). ... A minister for foreign affairs, or foreign minister, is a governmental cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign nation. ... Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov, in Russian Сергей Викторович Лавров, is the minister of foreign affairs of the Russian Federation. ...

Casualties

At least 396 people, mostly hostages, were killed during the crisis. By September 7, 2004, Russian officials revised the death toll down to 334, including 156 children, but close to 200 people remained missing or unidentified.^[117] It was claimed by the locals that 218 of those killed were found with burns, and many of them burned when still alive.^[43] The latest reported fatality was 33-year-old librarian Yelena Avdonina, who succumbed her wounds on December 8, 2006.^[5] is the 250th day of the year (251st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Librarian, a 1556 painting by Giuseppe Arcimboldo A librarian is an information professional trained in library science and information science: the organization and management of information and service to people with information needs. ... is the 342nd day of the year (343rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

North Ossetia's Minister of Health and Social Reform Mikhail Zurabov said the total number of people who were injured in the crisis exceeded 1,200.^[118] The exact number of people that received ambulatory assistance immediately after the crisis is not known, but is estimated to be around 700. Moscow-based military analyst Pavel Felgenhauer concluded on September 7, 2004, that 90% of the hostages had sustained injuries. 437 people, including 221 children, were hospitalized. 197 children were taken to the Children’s Republican Clinical Hospital in the North Ossetian capital of Vladikavkaz, and 30 were in resuscitation units in critical condition. Another 150 people were transferred to the Vladikavkaz Emergency Hospital. Sixty-two people, including 12 children, were treated in two local hospitals in Beslan, while six children with heavy wounds were flown to Moscow for specialist treatment.^[119] The majority of the children were treated for burns, gunshot and shrapnel wounds, and mutilation caused by explosions.^[120] Some had to have limbs amputated and eyes removed and many children were permanently disabled. One month after the attack, 240 people (160 of them children) were still being treated in hospitals in Vladikavkaz and in Beslan.^[119][121] Surviving children and parents have received psychological treatment at Vladikavkaz Rehabilitation Centre.^[122] Minister of Health redirects here. ... Dr. Pavel E. Felgenhauer is a Moscow-based defense analyst and columnist in Novaya Gazeta. ... is the 250th day of the year (251st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other meanings of CPR, see CPR (disambiguation). ... A gunshot is the discharge of a firearm, and the sound effect thereof; the term can also refer to a wound caused by such a discharge. ... It has been suggested that Fragmentation (weaponry) be merged into this article or section. ... Partial hand amputation Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma or surgery. ... Psychology (ancient Greek: psyche = soul and logos = word) is the study of mind, thought, and behaviour. ...

It is not known how many members of Russia's elite special forces died in the fighting, as official figures ranged from 11^[86] through 12^[123] and 16^[106] to more than 20^[69] killed. The number of names on the memorial in Beslan is only 10.^[124] These killed included all three commanders of the assault group: Colonel Oleg Ilyin and Lieutenant Colonel Dmitry Ratzumovsky of Vympel, and Major Alexander Petrov of Alfa.^[125] At least 30 suffered serious wounds.^[72] For other uses, see Colonel (disambiguation). ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... Major is a military rank the use of which varies according to country. ...

Responsibility for the hostage taking

Responsibility

Initially, the identity and origin of the attackers was not clear. It was widely assumed from day two that they were separatists from nearby Chechnya, but Putin's aide Aslakhanov denied it: "They were not Chechens. When I started talking with them in Chechen, they had answered: 'We do not understand, speak Russian'," he said.^[126] However, freed hostages said that the hostage-takers only spoke Russian with what sounded like strong Chechen accents.^[15] The Chechen language has about 1,200,000 speakers, most of whom live in Russia. ... Look up Accent in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Even as in the past Putin has rarely hesitated to blame Chechens for acts of terror, this time he avoided linking the attack with the Second Chechen War (launched by him in September 1999 on the promise to swiftly crush the Chechen rebels). Instead, the Russian President blamed the crisis on the "direct intervention of international terrorism", ignoring the nationalist roots of the crisis.^[127] The Russian government sources initially claimed that nine of the terrorists in Beslan were of Arab descent and one was a black African (called "a negro" by Andreyev),^[1][128] through only two Arabs were identified later.^[39] Independent analysts such as the Moscow political commentator Andrei Piontkovsky said Putin at this moment tried to minimize the number and scale of Chechen terrorist attacks, rather than to exaggerate them like he did in the past."^[26] Putin appared to connect the events to the U.S.-led "War on Terrorism",^[82] but at the same time has accused the West of indulging terrorists.^[116] Combatants Russian Federation Chechen loyalists Republic of Chechnya Chechen rebels Caucasian insurgents and foreign fighters Caucasian Islamists Commanders Vladimir Putin Nikolai Patrushev Akhmad Kadyrov† Ramzan Kadyrov Aslan Maskhadov† Abdul Halim Sadulayev† Doku Umarov Shamil Basayev† Ibn al-Khattab† Strength At least 93,000 in Chechnya in 1999. ... Terrorism is a controversial term with multiple definitions. ... Eugène Delacroixs Liberty Leading the People, symbolising French nationalism during the July Revolution 1830. ... Languages Arabic other minority languages Religions Predominantly Sunni Islam, as well as Shia Islam, Greek Orthodoxy, Greek Catholicism, Roman Catholicism, Alawite Islam, Druzism, Ibadi Islam, and Judaism Footnotes a Mainly in Antakya. ... World map showing location of Africa A satellite composite image of Africa Africa is the worlds second_largest continent in both area and population, after Asia. ... Negro is a racial term referring to dark-skinned people, usually of African origin. ... Andrey Andreevich Piontkovsky (born 1940, Moscow) is Russian scientist and political writer and analyst. ... This article is about U.S. actions, and those of other states, after September 11 2001. ... Look up Indulgence in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

On September 17, 2004, radical Chechen guerrilla commander Shamil Basayev issued a statement claiming responsibility for the Beslan school siege,^[129] saying his Riyadus-Salikhin "martyr battalion" had carried out this attack. The Beslan crisis was strikingly similar to the 1995 Budyonnovsk hospital hostage crisis and the 2002 Moscow theater hostage crisis, in which thousands of civilians were held hostage by the Chechen rebels also led by (Budyonnovsk) or answering to Basayev. Basayev said that he had miscalculated the Kremlin's determination to end insurgency by all means possible.^[8] He said that he originally planned to seize at least one school in either Moscow or St Petersburg, but lack of funds forced him to pick North Ossetia, "Russian garrison in the North Caucasus". Basayev blamed the Russian authorities for "a terrible tragedy" in Beslan.^[130] He said he was "cruelly mistaken" and that he was "not delighted by what happened there", but also added: "We are planning more Beslan-type operations in the future because we are forced to do so."^[131] However, as of 2008, it was the last major act of terrorism in Russia, as Basayev was soon persuaded to give up indiscriminate attacks by Abdul-Halim Sadulayev,^[132] who made Basayev his second-in-command.^[133] is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Shamil Salmanovich Basayev (born January 14, 1965) is a Chechen separatist leading an armed group acting in the north Caucasus region of Russia, principally in Chechnya. ... This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ... Budyonnovsk (Russian: ) is a town in Stavropol Krai, Russia. ... Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991) and Petrograd (Петрогра́д, 1914–1924), is a city located in Northwestern Russia on the delta of the river Neva at the east end of the Gulf of Finland... Terrorist redirects here. ... Sheikh Abdul Halim Sheikh Abdul-Halim Abu-Salamovich Sadulayev (Шейх Абдул-Халим) (1967 – 17 June 2006) was the fourth Chechen rebel president to be killed in 11 years of separatist warfare in the southern Russian region. ...

The moderate Chechen separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov immediately denied that his forces were involved in the siege, calling it "a blasphemy" for which "there is no justification".^[134] Maskhadov described the perpetrators of Beslan as "madmen" driven out of their senses by Russian acts of brutality.^[135] He condemned the action and all attacks against civilians via a statement issued by his envoy Akhmed Zakayev in London, blamed it on what he called a radical local group,^[136] and agreed to the North Ossetian proposition to act as a negotiator. Later, he also called on western governments to initiate peace talks between Russia and Chechnya and added to "categorically refute all accusations by the Russian government that President Maskhadov had any involvement in the Beslan event."^[137] In response, Putin has vowed not to negotiate with "child-killers", comparing the calls for the negotiations with the appeasement of Hitler,^[116] and put a $10 million bounty on Maskhadov (same amount as he put for Basayev).^[138] Maskhadov was killed by the Russian commandos in Chechnya on March 8, 2005.^[139] For the black metal band, see Blasphemy (band). ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Appeasement. ... Bounty can refer to different things: The Bounty a 1984 film with Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins A bounty is an amount of money or other reward offered by an organization for the capture of a person or thing Bounty is a brand of paper towel manufactured by Procter & Gamble... is the 67th day of the year (68th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Shortly after the crisis, official Russian sources stated that the attackers were part of an international group led by Basayev that included a number of Arabs with connections to al-Qaeda, and said they picked up phone calls in Arabic from the Beslan school to Saudi Arabia and another undisclosed Middle Eastern country.^[140] Two English/Algerians are among the identified terrorists who actively participated in the attack: Osman Larussi and Yacine Benalia. Another UK citizen named Kamel Rabat Bouralha, arrested while trying to leave Russia immediately following the attack, was suspected to be a key organizer. All three were linked to the Finsbury Park Mosque of north London.^[141][142] The al-Qaeda involvement claims were not repeared since.^[18] Al-Qaeda (Arabic: القاعدة, the foundation or the base) is the name given to a worldwide network of militant Islamist organizations under the leadership of Osama bin Laden. ... Arabic can mean: From or related to Arabia From or related to the Arabs The Arabic language; see also Arabic grammar The Arabic alphabet, used for expressing the languages of Arabic, Persian, Malay ( Jawi), Kurdish, Panjabi, Pashto, Sindhi and Urdu, among others. ... A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... This article is about the English as an ethnic group and nation. ... Osman Larussi was an British man who was possibly one of the hostagetakers in the 2004 Beslan school crisis. ... Yacine Benalia was identified by Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) as one of Algerian-born Arab Beslan attackers killed when the siege has ended. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Finsbury Park Mosque Finsbury Park mosque in Finsbury Park, London, England was built c. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ...

According to the Russian government, the following people were planners and financiers of the attack:

• Shamil Basayev - Chechen national, took ultimate responsibility for the attack, died in Ingushetia in July 2006.
• Kamel Rabat Bouralha - British-Alegerian suspected of organizing the attack, detained in Chechnya in September 2004.
• Abu Omar al-Saif - Saudi national and accused financer,^[143] died in Dagestan in December 2005.
• Abu Zaid - Kuwaiti national and accused organizer, died in Ingushetia in February 2005.

In November 2004, 28-year-old Akhmed Merzhoyev and 16-year-old Marina Korigova of Sagopshi, Ingushetia, were arrested by the Russian authorities in connection with Beslan. Merzhoyev was charged with providing food and equipment to the hostage-takers, and Korigova with having possession of a phone that Tsechoyev had phoned multiple times.^[144] Korigova was released when her defence attorney showed that she was given the phone by an acquaintance after the crisis.^{[citation needed]} Shamil Basayev (Russian: ) (January 14, 1965 – July 10, 2006) was a militant Islamist and a leader of the Chechen separatist movement. ... Early elections in November are announced in the Netherlands. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... September 2004 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December See also: September 2004 in sports Events Deaths in September • 27 Tsai Wan-lin • 24 Françoise Sagan • 20 Brian Clough • 18 Russ Meyer • 15 Johnny Ramone • 12 Fred Ebb • 11 Peter VII of Alexandria • 8... Abu Omar Mohammed bin Abdullah al-Saif, also called: Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Saif al-Jaber (1968/1969 – November, 2005), was a Saudi Wahhabist Islamist militant operating first in Afghanistan (1986-1988) and later in the North Caucasus (1996-2005) as the mufti of Arab fighters in Chechnya, allegedly with... The Republic of Dagestan IPA: (Russian: ; Avar: , ), older spelling Daghestan, is a federal subject of the Russian Federation (a republic). ... December 2005 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December- → 31 December 2005 (Saturday) 25-year-old Scottish human rights worker Kate Burton and her parents are freed unharmed in the Gaza Strip by the Palestinian gunmen who kidnapped them two days earlier. ... Ahmad Nasser Eid Abdullah Al-Fajri Al-Azimi, also Abu Zaid Al-Kuwaiti, Abu Omar Al-Kuwaiti and Abu Dzeit ( – February 16, 2005) was a Kuwaiti Salafist Jihad fighter and suspected al-Qaeda agent operating first in Afghanistan and later in Chechnya and the wider Caucasus area. ... The State of Kuwait is a small oil-rich monarchy on the coast of the Persian Gulf, enclosed by Saudi Arabia in the south and Iraq in the north. ... February 2005 : ← - January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December - → Pope John Paul II is taken to a hospital suffering from a serious case of influenza. ... November 2004 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December See also: November 2004 in sports November 2004 in science Events Deaths in November • 30 Pierre Berton • 29 John Drew Barrymore • 26 Bill Alley • 24 Arthur Hailey • 23 Rafael Eitan • 18 Bobby Frank Cherry • 16 John... Sagopshin (Sagopshi) is a city in Ingushetia, Russian Federation. ... An attorney is someone who represents someone else in the transaction of business: For attorney-at-law, see lawyer, solicitor, barrister or civil law notary. ...

Motives and demands

Russian negotiators say the attackers never explicitly stated their demands, although they did have notes handwritten by one of the hostages on a school notebook, in which they spelled out demands of full troop withdrawal from Chechnya and recognition of Chechen independence. The hostage-takers in Beslan were reported to have made the following demands:

• Withdrawal of Russian troops from Chechnya and independence for Chechnya.
• Presence of the following people in the school:
  • Aleksander Dzasokhov, president of North Ossetia,
  • Murat Zyazikov, president of Ingushetia,
  • Ruslan Aushev, former president of Ingushetia,
  • Leonid Roshal, a renowned pediatrician.

Alternatively, instead of Roshal and Aushev, the hostage takers named Vladimir Rushailo and Alu Alkhanov, pro-Moscow President of Chechnya.^[145] Dzasokhov and Zyazikov did not come, while Aushev entered the school and negotiated the release of 26 hostages. Zyazikov, it was said later, was "sick."^[64] Alexander Dzasokhov (Russian: Александр Дзасохов) was the former head of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania. ... Murat Magometovich Zyazikov (Russian: Мура́т Магоме́тович Зя́зиков) (born September 10, 1957) is the president of the southern Russian republic of Ingushetia. ... Ruslan Aushev is the former Ingushetia president (March 1993 to December 2001). ... Leonid Roshal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Alu Dadashevich Alkhanov was the president of Russias Chechen Republic. ... Chechnyas last de facto Presidental elections were held in 1997. ...

Aslakhanov said that the guerrillas also demanded the release of some 28 to 30 mostly Ingush insurgents jailed after the June raids in Ingushetia.^[14][18] Combatants Russian Federation Caucasus Front Commanders Abukar Kostoyev † Zyaudin Kotiyev † Shamil Basayev Magomet Yevloyev Doku Umarov Strength 50-600 (probably more than 200) Casualties At least 58 killed At least 6 killed Civilians 27 killed The Nazran raid was carried out a large-scale raid on Republic of Ingushetia, Russian...

The 1 September 11:00-11:30 letter sent along with a hostage ER doctor:^[146] (The case papers of the Nur-Pashi Kulayev's criminal trial. File pages 196-198, the vetting protocol. Cited at the trial session January 19, 2006.^[147]) is the 19th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

8-928-738-33-374

We request the republic's president Dzasokhov, the president of Ingushetia Ziazikov, the children's doctor Rashailo for negotiations. If anyone of us is killed, we'll shoot 50 people. If anyone of us is wounded, we'll kill 20 people. If 5 of us are killed, we'll blow up everything. If the light, communication are cut off for a minute, we'll shoot 10 people.

The telephone number according to pravdabeslana.ru; the federal committee reported 8-928-728-33-74. The hostage who was made to write the note misspelled doctor Roshal's name.

The 1 September 16:00-16:30 letter brought by the same female hostage: According to the federal committee report this note contained a corrected phone number (ending with 47) and addition of Aushev to the list of requested persons.

The 2 September 16:45 letter sent along with Ruslan Aushev: (A note hand-written on a quad ruling notebook sheet sized 32 by 20 cm. Source: ibidem. Pages 189-192, the vetting protocol. Pages 193-194, a photocopy of this note.)

From Allah's slave Shamil Basayev to President Putin.

Vladimir Putin, it wasn't you who started this war. But you can finish it if you have enough courage and determination of de Gaulle. We offer you a sensible peace based on mutual benefit by the principle—independence in exchange for security. In case of troops withdrawal and acknowledgement of independence of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, we are obliged not to make any political, military, or economic treaties with anyone against Russia, not to accommodate foreign military bases on our territory even temporarily, not to support and not to finance groups or organizations carrying out a military struggle against RF, to be present in the united ruble zone, to enter CIS. Besides, we can sign a treaty even though a neutral state status is more acceptable to us. We can also guarantee a renunciation of armed struggle against RF by all Muslims of Russia for at least 10 to 15 years under condition of freedom of faith. We are not related to the apartment bombings in Moscow and Volgodonsk, but we can take responsibility for this in an acceptable way.

The Chechen people is leading a nation-liberating struggle for its freedom and independence, for its self-protection rather than for destruction or humiliation of Russia. We offer you peace, but the choice is yours.

Allahu Akbar

Signature

30 August Allah is the Arabic language word for God. ... For other uses, see Charles de Gaulle (disambiguation). ... Official language Chechen Capital Grozny (Dzhokharabad, after 1996) President Doku Umarov Independence  â€“ Declared  â€“ Recognition From Russia  â€“ November 1, 1991  â€“ Georgian Republic National anthem Death or Freedom The Chechen Republic of Ichkeria IPA: (Нохчийн Республика Нохчийчоь) is the unrecognized secessionist government of Chechnya. ... The first two pages of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, in (left to right) German, Hungarian, Bulgarian, Ottoman Turkish and Russian A treaty is an agreement under international law entered into by actors in international law, namely states and international organizations. ... The ruble or rouble is a unit of currency. ...  Member state  Associate member Headquarters Minsk, Belarus Working language Russian Type Commonwealth Membership 11 member states 1 associate member Leaders  -  Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev Establishment December 21, 1991 Website http://cis. ... A neutral country takes no side in a war between other parties, and in return hopes to avoid being attacked by either of them. ... According to the United States Department of State, there are an estimated 14 to 20 million Muslims in Russia, constituting approximately 14 percent of the population and forming the largest religious minority. ... The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen guarantees freedom of religion, as long as religious activities do not infringe on public order in ways detrimental to society. ... The Russian apartment bombings were a series of bombings in Russia that killed nearly 300 people and led the country into the Second Chechen War. ... Flag of Mozambique — independent since 1975, with the Kalashnikov as symbol of the armed struggle against the Portuguese empire, the book as symbol of instruction and a farm instrument as symbol of economic growth Wars of national liberation are conflicts fought by indigenous military groups against an imperial power in... For other usages of the phrase Allahu Akbar, see Allahu Akbar (disambiguation). ...

Later, Basayev said there was an alternative option: "If Putin submits a letter of resignation, we will release all the children and go back to Chechnya with others..."^[130] A resignation is the formal act of giving up ones office or position. ...

The only surviving attacker, Nur-Pashi Kulayev, claimed that attacking a school and targeting mothers and young children was not merely coincidental, but was deliberately designed for maximum outrage with the purpose of igniting a wider war in the Caucasus. According to this provocation theory, the attackers hoped that the mostly Orthodox Ossetians would attack their mostly Muslim Ingush and Chechen neighbours to seek revenge, encouraging ethnic and religious hatred and strife throughout the North Caucasus.^[148] North Ossetia and Ingushetia had previously been involved in a brief, but bloody conflict in 1992 over disputed land in the North Ossetian Prigorodny District, leaving up to 1,000 dead and some 40,000 to 60,000 displaced persons, mostly Ingush.^[39] Indeed, shortly after the Beslan massacre, 3,000 people demonstrated in Vladikavkaz calling for revenge against the ethnic Ingush.^[39] The term provocation, besides its generic meaning of an act to be a cause of something, has the following technical meanings. ... The Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (Russian: ), also known as the Orthodox Christian Church of Russia, is a body of Christians who are united under the Patriarch of Moscow, who in turn is in communion with the other patriarchs and primates of the Eastern Orthodox Church. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... This article misrepresent most facts. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with forced migration. ...

The expected backlash against neighbouring nations failed to materialise on a massive scale (in one noted incident, a group of ethnic Ossetian soldiers detained two Chechen Spetsnaz soldiers and executed one of them^[149]). In July 2007, however, the office of the presidential envoy for the Southern Federal District announced that a North Ossetian armed group engaged in abductions as retaliation for the Beslan school hostage taking (the first rumours of such attacks were reported in the Russian and foreign press already during and just after the hostage crisis^[39][106]).^[150] FSB Lieutenant Colonel Alikhan Kalimatov, who was sent from Moscow to investigate these cases, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in September 2007.^[151] Russian special forces training For the Swedish EBM band, see Spetsnaz (band). ... July 2007 is the seventh month of that year. ... Southern Federal District (Russian: Ю́жный федера́льный о́круг; tr. ... “Kidnapper” redirects here. ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... September 2007 is the ninth month of that year. ...

Hostage takers

Number and fate

According to the official version of events, 32 attackers participated directly, two of whom were women, and one of whom was taken alive while the rest were killed. The number and identity of attackers remains a controversial topic, fueled by the often contradictory government statements and official documents. The September 3-4 government statements said total of 26-27 militants were killed during the siege.^[98] At least four militants, including two women, died prior to the storming.

Many of the surviving hostages and eyewitnesses claim there were many more attackers, some of whom may have escaped. It was also claimed or alleged that three hostage takers were captured alive, including the leader Vladimir Khodov and a female militant.^[152] Witness testimonies during the Kulayev trial involved the reported presence of at least several Slavs among the hostage-takers who were not seen among the bodies of the terrorists killed during the assault by Russian security forces, including a sniper who seemed to be in charge.^[90] Probably one of six leaders of the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis, Vladimir Khodov lived only twenty minutes from the school in neighbouring Elkhotovo. ... Distribution of Slavic people by language The Slavic peoples are a linguistic and ethnic branch of Indo-European peoples, living mainly in Europe, where they constitute roughly a third of the population. ...

• Kesayev Report (2005) estimated that about 50 fighters took part in the siege, based on witness accounts and the number of weapons left at the scene.^[78]
• Savelyev Report (September 2006) said there were from 58 to 76 hostage takers, of which many managed to escape by slipping past the cordon around the school.^[78]
• Torshin Report (December 2006) determined that 34 militants were involved, of which 32 entered the school and 31 died there, and says the two accomplices remain at large (one being Yunus Matsiyev, a bodyguard of Basayev).^[78]

According to Basayev,

Thirty-three mujahideen took part in Nord-West. Two of them were women. We prepared four [women] but I sent two of them to Moscow on August 24. They then boarded the two airplanes that blew up. In the group there were 12 Chechen men, two Chechen women, nine Ingush, three Russians, two Arabs, two Ossetians, one Tartar, one Kabardinian and one Guran. The Gurans are a people who live near Lake Baikal who are practically Russified.^[153] For the Iranian opposition group, see Peoples Mujahedin of Iran. ... Nord-Ost (Russian: Норд-Ост, means North-East in German) is a Russian musical theater production based on the novel Two Captains by Veniamin Aleksandrovich Kaverin. ... The Russian aircraft bombings of August 2004 was a terrorist attack on two domestic Russian passenger aircraft at around 23:00 on August 24, 2004. ... This article is about the people. ... Baikal redirects here. ... Russification is an adoption of the Russian language or some other Russian attribute (whether voluntarily or not) by non-Russian communities. ...

Basayev said an FSB agent (Khodov) had been sent undercover to the rebels to persuade them to carry out an attack on a target in North Ossetia's capital, Vladikavkaz, and that the group was allowed to enter the region with ease, because the FSB planned to capture them at their destination in Vladikavkaz. He also claimed that another attacker had survived the siege and escaped.^[11]

On September 6, 2004, the name and identity of seven of the assailants became known, after forensic work over the weekend and interviews with surviving hostages and a captured assailant. (The forensic tests also established that 21 of the terrorists took heroin as well as morphine in a normally fatal amount;^[154] the investigation cited the use of drugs as a reason for the militants’ ability to continue fighting despite being badly wounded and presumably in great pain.) In November 2004, Russian officials announced that 27 of the 32 attackers had been identified. However, in September 2005, the lead prosecutor against Nur-Pashi Kulayev stated that only 22 of the 32 bodies had been identified,^[155] leading to further confusion over which identities have been confirmed. is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Heroin (disambiguation). ... This article is about the drug. ...

Alleged leaders

• Ruslan Khuchbarov [also spelled Khochubarov] "Polkovnik" - Reputed group leader (disputed identity), possibly escaped and at large.^[156] Basayev identified him as "Col. Orstkhoyev" (Polkovnik means Russian for "Colonel").^[130][18]
• Vladimir Khodov "Abdullah" (28) - An ethnic Ossetian-Ukrainian from nearby Elkhotovo, former pupil of the Beslan SNO. Some of the survivors described him as the scariest and most aggressive of all the militants.^[157] Khodov was wanted for a series of bomb attacks in Vladikavkaz. Basayev has since said Khodov was a FSB double agent code-named Putnik ("Traveller") sent to infliltrate the rebel movement.^[158] (Not to confuse with the head of the local regional administration, also named Vladimir Khodov.)
• "Fantomas" - An unidentified bald Slav (he took off his mask), thought to having been a bodyguard to Shamil Basayev. Nationality unknown but possibly an ethnic Russian.^[156][159]
• "Ali" - The man who had led the negotiations on behalf of the hostage takers. Purported to be Ali Taziyev, a former Ingush policeman-turned-rebel who was declared legally dead in 2000.^{[160][161][162]} In the conversations, "Ali" claimed his wife and five children were killed by indiscriminate bombing in Chechnya.^[157] His body was identified after he was killed during the storming of the school. At first investigaters alleged this was the same person as Akhmed Yevloyev, an Ingush rebel leader, but those reports were declared incorrect later (although the corpse had similar features as Yevloyev, his facial profile was a lot different, and Yevloyev turned out to be still alive^[163]).

Identified militants

Some of the male hostage-takers, who numbered at least 30, are tentatively identified as: For other uses, see Colonel (disambiguation). ... Probably one of six leaders of the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis, Vladimir Khodov lived only twenty minutes from the school in neighbouring Elkhotovo. ... Look up Abdullah on Wiktionary, the free dictionary Abdullah (or Abd Allah) means servant of Allah in Arabic. ... The Ossetians are an ethnic group from Ossetia, a region in the northern Caucasus Mountains in Europe. ... A double agent pretends to spy on a target organization on behalf of a controlling organization, but in fact is loyal to the target organization. ... Fantômas, a fictional master criminal and villain, is the subject of a series of early-20th century French detective thrillers. ... Bodyguards of Viktor Yushchenko (far left) after leaving Gdansk city hall. ... Look up Ali, ali in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... An ex-policeman, Ali Tazivey was one of 32 hostages-takers in the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis. ... Akhmed Yevloyev (Amir Magas), also known as Magomet Yevloyev, was the Ingushetia-based deputy of the Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev. ...

• Khizir-Ali Akhmedov (30) - A Chechen from Bilto-Yurt.^[118]
• Yacine Benalia - A British-Algerian who had already been reported killed earlier.^[164]
• Sultan Kamurzayev (27) - A Chechen from Kazakhstan.^[118]
• Magomed Khochubarov (21) - An Ingush from Nazran.^[118]
• Khizir-Ali Akhmedov - A native of Chechnya.^[118]
• Ilnur Gainullin (23) - An ethnic Tatar "from a good family" in Moscow.^[27]
• Iznaur Kodzoyev - In August 2005 the Russian forces in Igushetia killed a man identified as Iznaur Kodzoyev, who they said was one of the 32 hostage takers, despite the fact that his body was identified among these killed in Beslan. Kodzoyev was also previously announced dead by the Russians months before the Beslan crisis.^[165][153]
• Khan-Pashi Kulayev (31) - A one-armed older brother of Nur-Pashi, a former bodyguard of Basayev, released from the Russian prison before the attack.^[166]
• Nur-Pashi Kulayev (24) - A Chechen recruited to help his brother Han-Pashi despite (as he maintained) being recently admitted into the forces of Ramzan Kadyrov. Captured in Beslan and sentenced to life in prison.
• Abdul-Azim Labazanov (31) - A Chechen born in Kazakhstan, initially fought on the federal side in the First Chechen War before defecting to Doku Umarov.^[118]
• Osman Larussi - A British-Algerian, who had already been reported killed earlier.^[164]
• Arsen Merzhoyev (25) - Like the Kulayevs, a native of Engenoi in Chechnya.^[167]
• Mayrbek Shaybekhanov - A Chechen from Engenoi, arrested in Ingushetia and then released shortly before the school attack.^[168][169] Also spelled Mairbek Shebikhanov.
• Issa Torshkhoyev (26) - A Chechen refugee in Ingushetia, wanted since the shootout in 2003 when his home was raided by the police.^[170] Also spelled Isa.
• Bei-Alla Tsechoyev (31) - An Ingush, brother of Musa, had a prior conviction for possessing illegal firearms. Also spelled Bay or Ala.
• Musa Tsechoyev (35) - A native of Sagopshi in Ingushetia, owned the GAZ-66 truck that drove the hostage-takers to the school.

In April 2005, the identity of the two shahidka female suicide bombers was revealed: Yacine Benalia was identified by Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) as one of Algerian-born Arab Beslan attackers killed when the siege has ended. ... Nazran (Russian: Назра́нь) is a town in Russia. ... Kulayev following raid A native of Engenoi, Chechnya, Nur-Pashi Kulayev is thought to be the sole survivor of the 32 hostage-takers in the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis, although Shamil Basayev denies the claim, stating that one other escaped[1] 24, and an unemployed carpenter at the time... Ramzan Akhmadovich Kadyrov (Russian: Рамзан Ахмадович Кадыров) (born 5 October 1976, Tsentoroi, Chechnya) is the President of Chechnya and a former Chechen rebel. ... Motto: none Anthem: Hymn of the Russian Federation Capital Moscow Largest city Moscow Official language(s) Russian Government Semi-presidential Federal republic  - President of Russia Vladimir Putin  - Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov Independence From the Soviet Union   - Declared June 12, 1991   - Finalized December 25, 1991  Area    - Total 17,075,400 km... Combatants Russian Federation Chechen Republic of Ichkeria Commanders Pavel Grachev Anatoly Kulikov Konstantin Pulikovsky Anatoliy Romanov Vyacheslav Tikhomirov Gennady Troshev Dzhokhar Dudayev  â€  Aslan Maskhadov Strength (December 11, 1994) Up to 50,000 soldiers and Interior Ministry (MVD) (December 11, 1994) 3,000 to 15,000[1] Casualties Military: At least... Shaykh Doku Khamatovich Umarov (Chechen: Умаран Хамади кант Докка, Russian Доку Хаматович Умаров) (b. ... Osman Larussi was an British man who was possibly one of the hostagetakers in the 2004 Beslan school crisis. ... In the early 1990s,the Soviet Union broke up creating a mass frenzy in newly created states. ... Ingush brothers, Musa and Bei-Alla Tsechoyev were identified as two of the hostagetakers in the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis. ... Ingush brothers, Musa and Bei-Alla Tsechoyev were identified as two of the hostagetakers in the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis. ... Female terrorists of the Beslan school hostage crisis, 2004 Shahidka (female shahid), sometimes called Black Widow, is a term for a Chechen female suicide bombers, who made themselves known at the Moscow theater hostage crisis of October 2002. ... A suicide bombing is a bomb attack on people or property, committed by a person who knows the explosion will cause his or her own death in addition to the attacks primary purpose (see suicide, suicide weapons). ...

• Roza Nagayeva (30) - A Chechen woman from the village of Kirov-Yurt in Chechnya's Vedensky District, sister of Amnat Nagayeva, who is suspected of being the suicide bomber having blown up one of the two Russian airliners brought down on August 24, 2004. Roza Nagayeva has previously seemingly mistakenly been named as having carried out the bombing of Moscow's Rizhskaya metro station on August 31, 2004.^[171]
• Mairam Taburova - A Chechen woman from the village of Mair-Tub in Chechnya's Shalinsky District.^[171]

Chechnya map, Vedensky District is numbered 13 Vedensky District (Russian: ) is a raion (district) of the Chechen Republic, Russia. ... An Airbus A340 airliner operated by Air Jamaica An airliner is a large fixed-wing aircraft with the primary function of transporting paying passengers. ... is the 236th day of the year (237th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Rizhskaya (Russian: Рижская) is a station on the Moscow Metros Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya Line. ... is the 243rd day of the year (244th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Shalinsky disctrict (Шалинский) (also known as Shali district) is an administrative district of the Chechen Republic. ...

Official investigations and trials

Kulayev interrogation and trial

The captured militant, 24-year-old Nur-Pashi Kulayev, born in Chechnya, was identified by former hostages. The state-controlled Channel One showed fragments of his interrogation. Kulayev said the group was led by a Chechnya-born militant nicknamed Polkovnik and by the North Ossetia native Vladimir Khodov. According to Kulayev, Polkovnik shot another militant and detonated two female suicide bombers because they objected to capturing children.^[172] Channel One (Russian: ; IPA: ) is one of Russias most highly rated TV channels, and the one with the widest reception area. ...

In May 2005, Kulayev was a defendant in a court in the republic of North Ossetia. He was charged with murder, terrorism, kidnapping, and other crimes and pleaded guilty on seven of the counts;^[173] many former hostages denounced the trial as a "[smoke screen" and "farce".^[123] Some of the relatives of the victims even called for a pardon for Kulayev so he can speak freely about what happened.^[73] The director of the FSB, Nikolai Patrushev, was summoned to give evidence, but did not attend.^[18] Ten days later, on May 26, 2006, Nur-Pashi Kulayev was sentenced to life in prison; no appeal was filed by either the defendant or prosecutor.^[174] Kulayev later disappeared in the Russian prison system and it is unclear if he's still alive.^[175] Terrorist redirects here. ... Look up farce in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For the Breton religious festivals, see Pardon (ceremony). ... Nikolai Platonovich Patrushev (Russian: Николай Платонович Патрушев) (born July 11, 1951) is the current director of the Russian FSB, the successor organization of the KGB. He was born in Leningrad and graduated from Leningrad Shipbuilding Institute, where worked as an engineer at his department until 1974. ... is the 146th day of the year (147th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Life imprisonment is a term used for a particular kind of sentence of imprisonment. ...

Deputy Prosecutor General of Russia Nikolai Shepel, acting as deputy prosecutor at the trial of Kulayev, found no fault with the security forces in handling the hostage crisis:^[31] "According to the conclusions of the investigation, the expert commission did not find any violations that could be responsible for the harmful consequences."^[176] He acknowledged that commandos fired flamethrowers into the packed Beslan school gym, but said that this could not have sparked the fire that caused most of deaths.^[89] Shepel said the troops did not use napalm grenades.^[11] Coat of Arms of the Prosecutor General of Russia The Prosecutor General of Russia (also Attorney General of Russia, Russian: ) heads the system of official prosecution in courts known as the Office of the Prosecutor General of Russian Federation (Генеральная прокуратура Российской Федерации). The Office of the Prosecutor General is entrusted with: prosecution in... A simulated Napalm explosion during MCAS Air Show in 2003. ...

Torshin commission and federal investigation

At a press conference with foreign journalists on September 6, 2004, Vladimir Putin rejected the prospect of an open public inquiry, but cautiously agreed with an idea of a parliamentary investigation led by the Duma. He warned, though, that the latter might turn into a "political show".^[177][178] In November 2004, the Interfax news agency reported Alexander Torshin, head of the parliamentary commission, as saying that there was evidence of involvement by "a foreign intelligence agency;" he declined to say which.^[179] is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Interfax is a Russian non-governmental press agency based in Moscow. ... An intelligence agency is a governmental organization that for the purposes of national security is devoted to the gathering of information (known in the context as intelligence) by means of espionage, communication interception, cryptanalysis, cooperation with other institutions, and evaluation of public sources. ...

On December 26, 2005, Russian prosecutors investigating the siege on the school claimed that authorities had made no mistakes (family members of the victims of the attacks have accused the security forces of incompetence, and have demanded that authorities be held accountable).^[180] On August 28, 2006, Yuri Savelyev, an MP and member of the official parliamentary inquiry panel, publicized his report proving that Russian forces deliberately stormed the school on 4 September 2004 using maximum force. According to Savelyev, a weapons and explosives expert, special forces fired rocket-propelled grenades without warning as a prelude to an armed assault, ignoring apparently ongoing negotiations.^[181] is the 360th day of the year (361st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 240th day of the year (241st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

On December 22, 2006, the Russian parliamentary commission ended their investigation into the incident. They concluded that the number of gunmen who stormed the school was 32 and laid much blame on the North Ossetian police, stating that there was a severe shortcoming in security measures. Torshin also criticized authorities for under-reporting the number of hostages involved.^[182] In addition, the commission said the attack on the school was premeditated by Chechen rebel leadership including Aslan Maskhadov. In another controversial move, the commission claimed that the shoot-out that ended the siege was instigated by the hostage takers, not security forces.^[183] About the use of flamethowers, Torshin said: "International law does not prohibit using them against terrorists."^[184] Ella Kesayeva, who leads the Voice of Beslan group, suggested that the report was meant as a signal that Putin and his circle were no longer interested in having a discussion about crisis.^[81] is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Voice of Beslan is splinter group from Mothers of Beslan made up of parents of children killed in the 2004 North Ossetian Beslan school hostage crisis wherein more than 365 were killed and half of them children. ...

In February 2007, two members of the commission broke their silence to denounce the investigation as a cover-up, and the Kremlin's official version of events as fabricated, saying they refused to sign off on the report because of their doubts.^[80] This article is about a short-lived television series. ...

Trials of policemen

Three local policemen of the Pravoberezhny District ROVD (district militsiya unit) were the only officials who put on trial over the massacre, accused of failing to stop gunmen seizing the school and charged with negligence.^[185] On May 30, 2007, Pravoberezhny Court's judge Vitalii Besolov granted an amnesty to them. In response, a group of dozens local women then ransacked the courtroom, smashing windows, overturning furniture and tearing down a Russian flag. Victims' groups said the trial had been a whitewash designed to protect their superiors from blame.^[186] The victims of the Beslan terror act said they are going to appeal against the court judgement.^[187] Pravoberezhny District may refer to: Pravoberezhny District, Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, a district in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Russia Pravoberezhny City Administrative Okrug, Bratsk, a city administrative okrug of Bratsk, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia Pravoberezhny City Administrative Okrug, Irkutsk, a city administrative okrug of Irkutsk, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia... A member of a Russian special purpose police team (OMSN), equipped with a 9A91 submachine gun. ... Negligence is a legal concept usually used to achieve compensation for injuries (not accidents). ... is the 150th day of the year (151st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Look up Amnesty in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Flag of Russia The flag of Russia is a tricolour. ... Whitewash, or calcimine, kalsomine, or calsomine is a type of inexpensive paint made from slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) and chalk (whiting). ...

In June 2007, a court in Kabardino-Balkaria charged another two police officers (Mukhazhir Yevloyev and Akhmed Kotiyev) with negligence, accusing them of failing to prevent the attackers from setting up their training and staging camp in Ingushetia. The two pleaded innocent, the court said.^[188] Capital Nalchik Area - total - % water Ranked 83rd - 12,500 km² - negligible Population - Total - Density Ranked 60th - est. ...

Criticism of the Russian government

Allegations of incompetence and rights violations

A Beslan mother at the cemetery for the siege victims in 2006.

The handling of the siege by Vladimir Putin's administration was criticized by a number of observers and grassroots organisations, amongst them the Mothers of Beslan and Voice of Beslan groups.^[189] Soon after the crisis, the independent MP Vladimir Ryzhkov blamed "the top leadership".^[190] Initially, the European Union also criticized the response.^[191] Putin dismissed the foreign criticism as Cold War mentality and said that the West wants to "pull the strings so that Russia won't raise its head."^[114] Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (768x1024, 213 KB) Courtesy of Aaron Bird. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (768x1024, 213 KB) Courtesy of Aaron Bird. ... It has been suggested that Voice of Beslan be merged into this article or section. ... Vladimir Aleksandrovich Ryzhkov (Russian: ) (born September 3, 1966 in Rubtsovsk, Altai Krai, Soviet Union) is a Russian independent politician. ... For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ...

Criticism, including by Beslan residents (the survivors and the relatives of the victims), centered on the allegations that the storming of the school was ruthless, citing the confirmed use of heavy weapons, such as RPO flamethrowers and tank guns.^{[192][193][194]} (Pavel Felgenhauer has gone further and accused the Russian Air Force of firing air-to-surface missiles at the school, a claim that the authorities flatly deny.^[44]) Human rights activists say that at least 80 percent of the hostages were killed by indiscriminate Russian fire.^[13] The Russian Air Force (Russian: Военно-воздушные cилы России, transliteration: Voyenno-vozdushnye sily Rossii) is the air force of Russia. ... An air-to-surface missile (also, air-to-ground missile, ASM or AGM) is a missile designed to be launched from military aircraft (bombers, attack aircraft, fighter aircraft or other kinds) and strike ground targets on land, at sea, or both. ... Human rights are rights which some hold to be inalienable and belonging to all humans. ...

There were accusations that officials had not earnestly tried to negotiate with the attackers and deliberately provided incorrect and inconsistent reports of the situation to the media.^[102] The local provincial leaders were criticized for having allowed the attack to take place, while some critics charged that the authorities failed to keep the scene secure from entry by civilians.^[71] It was also alleged the government knew of the planned attack (according to internal police documents obtained by Novaya Gazeta, the Moscow MVD knew about the planned attack four hours in advance),^[13][195] while the emergency services were not prepared for the storming during the 52 hours of the crisis.^[4] The Russian government has been heavily criticized by many of the local people who, days and even months after the siege, did not know whether their children were alive or dead; human remains were found by a local man in the garbage landfill at the outskirts of Beslan in 2005, which prompted further outrage.^[196][197] Novaya Gazeta (Russian: ) is a Russian newspaper. ... Emergency services are public services that deal with emergencies and other aspects of Public Safety. ... Look up garbage in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Look up landfill in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

In general, the criticism was denied by the Russian government. Deputy Prosecutor General Vladimir Kolesnikov, sent by President Vladimir Putin in September 2005 to investigate the tragedy (Putin personally promised an "objective investigation" to the Beslan Mothers), concluded on September 30, 2005, that "the actions of the military personnel were justified, and there are no grounds to open a criminal investigation."^[198] Vladimir Ilyich Kolesnikov (in Russian: , b. ... is the 273rd day of the year (274th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

However, several local top officials lost their posts.^[199] Alexander Dzasokhov, the head of North Ossetia, resigned his post in May 31, 2005, after pressure from Mothers of Beslan on Putin to have him dismissed.^[200] North Ossetian Interior Minister Kazbek Dzantiyev resigned shortly after the crisis,^[201] saying that "After what happened in Beslan, I don't have the right to occupy this post as an officer and a man."^[98] Valery Andreyev, the chief of the Ossetia's FSB, also submitted his resignation soon after,^[202] though he was later named Deputy Rector of the FSB Academy in Moscow, a prestigious position.^[56] is the 151st day of the year (152nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Interior Minister is a member of a Cabinet in a Government. ... The word rector (ruler, from the Latin regere) has a number of different meanings, but all of them indicate someone who is in charge of something. ... Prestige means good reputation or high esteem. ...

To address doubts, the Russian government launched a federal parliamentary investigation led by Alexander Torshin,^[203] resulting in the December 2005 report which put blame for "a whole number of blunders and shortcomings" on local authorities.^[204] Unlike accounts from survivors, witnesses and journalists, Torshin criticized the federal government only indirectly.^[205] A separate public inquiry headed by Stanislav Kesayev, deputy speaker of the North Ossetian regional parliament, concluded on November 29, 2005, that both local and federal law enforcement agencies and officials mishandled the situation;^[206] the findings of the federal and the North Ossetian commissions differed widely in many main aspects.^[78] is the 333rd day of the year (334th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

On June 26, 2007, 89 relatives of victims have lodged a joint complaint against Russia with the European Court of Human Rights. The applicants say their rights were violated both during the hostage-taking and the trials that followed.^[207][188] is the 177th day of the year (178th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... In general use, a complaint is an expression of displeasure, such as poor service at a store, or from a local government, for example. ... European Court of Human Rights building in Strasbourg The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), often referred to informally as the Strasbourg Court, was created to systematise the hearing of human rights complaints against States Parties to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adopted by...

Disinformation and supression of information

See also: Russian government censorship of Chechnya coverage

Television reporting

In opposition to the coverage on foreign television news channels (such as CNN and the BBC), the crisis was not broadcasted live by the state-owned all three major Russian television networks.^[114] The two main state-owned broadcasters, Channel One and Rossiya, did not even interrupt their regular programming following the school seizure.^[190] After explosions and gunfire started on the third day, NTV Russia, the main television channel owned by Gazprom, shifted away from the scenes of mayhem to broadcast a World War II soap opera.^[54] At the start of the Second Chechen War in 1999 federal authorities had designed and introduced a comprehensive system to control media access to the battlefield. ... The Cable News Network, commonly known as CNN, is a major cable television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... A live broadcast generally refers to various types of media broadcast without a delay. ... NTV, a Russian television channel (HTB in Cyrillic) was a pioneer in the post-Soviet independent television media. ... Gazprom (LSE: OGZD; Russian: , sometimes transcribed as Gasprom) is the largest Russian company and the biggest extractor of natural gas in the world. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... The first TIME cover devoted to soap operas: Dated January 12, 1976, Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth Hayes of Days of our Lives are featured with the headline Soap Operas: Sex and suffering in the afternoon. A soap opera is an ongoing, episodic work of fiction, usually broadcast on television...

According to a poll by Levada-Center conducted a week after Beslan crisis, 83% of polled Russians believed that the government was hiding at least a part of the truth about the Beslan events from them.^[208] According to the poll by Ekho Moskvy radio station, 92% of the people polled said that Russian TV channels concealed parts of information.^[102] Echo Moscow (russian:Эхо Москвы - Ekho Moskvy) is the independent Russian radiostation based in Moscow and broadcasted in many other Russian cities and in Internet. ...

False information on the number of hostages

Russian state-controlled television only reported official information about the number of hostages during the course of the crisis. The number of 354 people was persistently given, as initially stated by Lev Dzugayev, the press secretary of the President of North Ossetia (after the crisis, Dzugayev was promoted and made Minister for Culture and Mass Communications^[209]) and Valery Andreyev, the chief of the republican FSB (through it was later claimed that Dzugayev only disseminated information given to him by "Russian presidential staff who were located in Beslan from September 1"^[62]). This deliberately false figure had grave consequences for the treatment of the hostages by their captos (angered^[182] terrorists were reported saying "'Maybe we should kill enough of you to get down to that number"^[43]). It also sparked the incidents of violence by the local residents against the members of Russian and foreign media.^[102] A press secretary is a senior advisor (usually to a politician) who provides advice on how to deal with the media and, using news management techniques, helps them to maintain a positive public image and avoid negative media coverage. ... The Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts is an appointment in the Cabinet of Singapore, responsible for heading the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts. ...

On September 8, 2004, several leading Russian and international human rights organizations – including Amnesty International, International Helsinki Federation, Moscow Helsinki Group, Memorial, and Human Rights Watch – issued a joint statement in which they pointed out the responsibility that Russian authorities bore in disseminating false information: is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Amnesty international Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty or AI) is an international non-governmental organization which defines its mission as to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience... The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF) is a self-governing group of non-governmental, not-for-profit organizations that act to protect human rights throughout Europe, North America and Central Asia. ... The Moscow Helsinki Group (also known as the Moscow Helsinki Watch Group) is a pathbreaking and influential human rights monitoring group, originally started in what was then the Soviet Union; it still operates in Russia. ... Memorial (Russian: Мемориал) is an international historical and civil rights society that operates in a number of post-USSR states with the following missions stated in its charter: To promote mature civil society and democracy based on the rule of law and thus to prevent a return to totalitarianism; To assist... Human Rights Watch Banner Human Rights Watch is a United States-based international non-government organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. ...

"We are also seriously concerned with the fact that authorities concealed the true scale of the crisis by, inter alia, misinforming Russian society about the number of hostages. We call on Russian authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of the Beslan events which should include an examination of how authorities informed the whole society and the families of the hostages. We call on making the results of such an investigation public."^[102] This page includes English translations of several Latin phrases and abbreviations such as . ... For other uses, see Disinformation (disambiguation). ...

Incidents involving journalists

In several incidents reporters critical of the Russian government could not get to Beslan during the crisis. They included Andrey Babitsky, a Russian journalist with the Radio Free Europe, who was indicted on hooliganism after a brawl with two men who picked a fight with him in the Moscow Vnukovo Airport and sentenced to a 15-day arrest.^[210][211] The late Novaya Gazeta journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who had negotiated during the 2002 Moscow siege, was twice prevented by the authorities from boarding a flight. When she eventually succeeded, she fell into a coma after being poisoned aboard an airplane bound to Rostov-on-Don.^[102][212] Andrei Babitsky (Андрей Бабицкий : Moscow, 26 September 1964) is a Russian journalist and war correspondant for Radio Free Europe. ... This article is about the radio broadcast service. ... Hooligan redirects here. ... Located 28 km away from the center of Moscow (although still being part of the municipality of Moscow), Vnukovo Airport (Аэропорт Внуково in Russian) (IATA: VKO, ICAO: UUWW) was the first international airport in the Moscow region. ... Anna Stepanovna Politkovskaya (Russian: ; 30 August 1958 – 7 October 2006) was a Russian journalist and human rights activist well known for her opposition to the Chechen conflict and the Putin administration. ... For other uses, see Coma (disambiguation). ... For biological toxicity, see toxin and poison. ... Central market and Church in Rostov. ...

According to the report by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), several correspondents were detained in Beslan (including Russians Anna Gorbatova and Oksana Semyonova from Novye Izvestia, Madina Shavlokhova from Moskovskiy Komsomolets, Elena Milashina from Novaya Gazeta, and Simon Ostrovskiy from The Moscow Times). Several foreign journalists were also briefly detained, including a group of journalists from Polish Gazeta Wyborcza, French Libération and British The Guardian. The chief of the Moscow bureau of the Arab TV channel Al Jazeera was framed into the possession of a round of ammunition at the airfield in Mineralnye Vody.^[102] The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is an international organization for security. ... Novye Izvestia is a Russian daily newspaper, published in Moscow. ... Moskovskii Komsomolets is a Moscow-based daily newspaper regarded as publishing sensational or provocative items on Russian politics and society. ... The Moscow Times is an English-language daily newspaper published in Moscow, Russia since 1992. ... Gazeta Wyborcza (pronounce: [gazεta vibÉ”rʧa] , gazeta vibborcha) is, as of 2005, Polands second largest distribution daily newspaper (after the tabloid Fakt). ... Libération (affectionately known as Libé) is a French daily newspaper founded in Paris in 1973 by Jean-Paul Sartre, Pierre Victor alias Benny Lévy and Serge July in the wake of the protest movements of May 1968. ... For other uses, see Guardian. ... Mineralnye Vody (Russian: Минеральные Воды) is a spa town located in the Stavropol Krai in southwestern Russia. ...

Many foreign journalists were exposed to pressure from the security forces and the materials were confiscated from TV crews from ZDF and ARD (Germany), APTN (USA), and Rustavi-2 (Georgia). The crew of Rustavi-2 was arrested; the Georgian Minister of Health said that the correspondent Nana Lezhava, who had been kept for fives days in the Russian pre-trial detention centers, had been poisoned with dangerous psychotropic drugs (like Politkovskaya, Lezhava passed out after being given a cup of tea). The crew from another Georgian TV channel Mze was expelled from Beslan.^[102] Confiscation, from the Latin confiscatio joining to the fiscus, i. ... Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (Second German Television), ZDF, is a public service German television channel based in Mainz. ... ARD may refer to: ARD (broadcaster), the Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, the German association of public broadcasters. ... APTN can stand for Aboriginal Peoples Television Network Associated Press Television Network This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Rustavi 2 (in Georgian: რუსთავი 2) is a popular private TV Company in Georgia (country). ... Minister of Health redirects here. ... A psychoactive drug or psychotropic substance is a chemical that alters brain function, resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness, or behaviour. ...

Raf Shakirov, chief editor of the Izvestia newspaper, was forced to resign after criticism by the major shareholders of both style and content of the September 4, 2004 issue.^[213] In contrast to the less emotional coverage by other Russian newspapers, Izvestia had featured large pictures of dead or injured hostages. It also expressed doubts about the government's version of events.^{[214][215][216][217][218][219][220][221][222][223][224][225]} Modern Izvestia logo Old Izvestia logo. ...

Secret materials

In July 2007 the Mothers of Beslan asked the FSB to declassify video and audio archives on Beslan, saying there should be no secrets in the investigation.^[226] They didn't receive any answer to this request.^[227]

Same month, the Mothers organization have disclosed a video tape they received anonymously, that they say proves Russian security forces started the massacre by firing rocket grenades on the besieged building.^[228] The film, apparently showing the prosecutors and military experts discussing the militant bombs and structural damage in the school in Beslan, had been kept secret by the authorities for nearly three years,^[229] until was officially released by the Mothers on September 4, 2007.^[230] is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Other controversies

In September 2005, the self-proclaimed faith healer and miracle-maker Grigory Grabovoy had promised he could resurrect the killed children for a large sum of money; Grabovoy was arrested and indicted of fraud in April 2006, amidst the accusations that he was being used by the government as a tool to discredit the Mothers of Beslan.^[231] In September 2007, Taimuraz Chedzhemov, the lawyer representing the group and seeking to prosecute Russian officials over the massacre, has pulled out of the case because of a death threat to his family, he said.^[232] Faith healing is the use of solely spiritual means in treating disease, which, in some cases, is accompanied with the refusal of modern medical techniques. ... Grigory Petrovich Grabovoy (Russian: ) (born November 14, 1963 in Kazakhstan) is a Russian religious leader who claims the ability to abolish death, resurrect the dead, cure cancer and AIDS, teleport, and pinpoint mechanical problems on airplanes. ... April 2006 : ← - January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December- → Marcos Pontes, Brazils first astronaut, reaches the International Space Station. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ...

Voice of Beslan activists demonstrating in front of the burned-out gymnasium ruins school in 2007.

Russia's Patriarch Alexius II's plans to build only an Orthodox temple as part of the Beslan monument have caused a serious conflict between the Orthodox Church and the state-approved leadership of the Russian Muslims (the latter claiming that 70% of those killed in Beslan were Muslims) in 2007.^[233] Beslan victims organizations also spoke against the project. Many in Beslan want the ruins of the school to be preserved, opposing the government plan of its demolition to begin with.^[234] Patriarch Alexius II Patriarch Alexius II (February 23, 1929) is the 16th and current Patriarch of Moscow and the spiritual leader of the Russian Orthodox Church. ...

In January 2008, the Voice of Beslan support group, previously ordered to disband by court, was charged by Russian prosecutors with "extremism"^{[193][235][236]} over their 2005 appeal to the European Parliament to help establish international investigation and on the United States to publish satellite photographs of the school made during the siege. This was soon followed with other charges, some of them relating to the 2007 court incident. As of February 2008, the group was charged in total of four different criminal cases.^[237] January 2008 is the first month of the year and has yet to occur. ... Extremism is a term used to describe the actions or ideologies of individuals or groups outside the perceived political center of a society; or otherwise claimed to violate common standards of ethics and reciprocity. ... Established 1952, as the Common Assembly President Hans-Gert Pöttering (EPP) Since 16 January 2007 Vice-Presidents 14 Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (EPP) Alejo Vidal-Quadras (EPP) Gérard Onesta (Greens – EFA) Edward McMillan-Scott (ED) Mario Mauro (EPP) Miguel Angel Martínez Martínez (PES) Luigi Cocilovo (ALDE) Mechtild... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Satellite imagery consists of photographs of Earth or other planets made from artificial satellites. ...

International response

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Beslan school hostage crisis

The attack at Beslan was met with international abhorrence and universal condemnation. Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Wikiquote is one of a family of wiki-based projects run by the Wikimedia Foundation, running on MediaWiki software. ...

On September 1, 2005, UNICEF marked the first anniversary of the Beslan school tragedy by calling on all adults to shield children from war and conflict.^[238] is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... UNICEF Logo The United Nations Childrens Fund or UNICEF (Arabic: ; French: ; Spanish: ) was established by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946. ...

Charity efforts

Main article: Beslan charity efforts

Countries and charities around the world donated to funds set up to assist the families and children that were involved in the Beslan crisis. Charity effort by The Sun, a tabloid newspaper in the United Kingdom Countries and charities around the world donated to funds set up to assist the families and children that were involved in the Beslan hostage-taking. ... // Legal definitions A charity is a trust, company or unincorporated association established for charitable purposes only. ...

Media portrayal

Books

• Beslan: The Tragedy of School Number 1 by Timothy Phillips (London: Granta Books, 2007) (ISBN 1862079277)
• Terror at Beslan: A Russian Tragedy with Lessons for America's Schools (ISBN 0-9767753-0-1) (Review)
• The 2002 Dubrovka and 2004 Beslan Hostage Crises: A Critique of Russian Counter-Terrorism (ISBN 3-89821-608-X)

Films

• Children of Beslan (2005). Produced and directed by Ewa Ewart and Leslie Woodhead. HBO Documentary Films and BBC co-production. Nominated in three different categories under the 2006 Emmy Award festival and awarded the Royal Television Society prize in the category Best Single Documentary.
• Three Days in September (2006). Directed by Joe Halderman, narrated by Julia Roberts. Full Credits Trailer
• The Beslan Siege (2005). TV-documentary by October Films. Director: Richard Alwyn, producer: Liana Pomeranzev. Won the Prix Italia Documentary Award for 2006. IMDB
• Return to Beslan (Terug naar Beslan) (2005). A Dutch documentary produced by Netherlands Public Broadcasting. Won an Emmy Award in 2005 for the best entry in the category "Best Continuing News Coverage".
  • (Dutch) Terug naa Beslan (The documentary)
• Beslan (2009). Feature film produced by Firefly Films. Producer: Matthew Hobbs. Currently in development.

Music

• "Black Widow's Eyes" by The Who (Commentary by Pete Townshend)
• "Children of Beslan" by Steven Cravis (Video by Christian Abicht, available on Cravis' German-language site)
• "Muhammad" by Sami Yusuf is dedicated to "the innocent children of Beslan".^{[cite this quote]}
• "Nichya" (No One's) by t.A.T.u. was dedicated to the children and families of Beslan, and was performed at the Beslan memorial by t. A.T.u.
• "Beslan" by Tactical Sekt is inspired by the crisis.

Timothy Phillips is the author of Beslan: The Tragedy of School No. ... Leslie Woodhead is an award-winning British documentary filmmaker. ... For other uses, see HBO (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... An Emmy Award. ... The Royal Television Society is a British-based society for the discussion, analysis and preservation of television in all its forms, past, present and future. ... Julia Fiona Roberts (born October 28, 1967) is an Academy Award-winning American film actress and former fashion model. ... October Films was a independent film production company and distributor founded in 1991 by Bingham Ray and Jeff Lipsky as a means of distributing the 1990 film Life Is Sweet. ... The Prix Italia is an Italian broadcasting award. ... The logo of the Netherlands Public Broadcasting. ... An Emmy Award. ... Black Widows Eyes is a song by The Who and, written by Pete Townshend, and is featured on their most recent album Endless Wire. ... The Who are a British rock band that first formed in 1964, and grew to be considered one of the greatest[1] and most influential[2] bands in the world. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Sami Yusuf is a British singer-songwriter of Azeri origin described as the Islamic Bono [1]& [2] He was born in Tehran, Iran to Azerbaijanian parents[3] in July 1980 and raised in the United Kingdom. ... This article is about the Russian singing duet. ... Tactical Sekt is an electro-industrial band. ...

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Beslan school hostage crisis

• Kizlyar-Pervomayskoye hostage crisis
• List of hostage crises
• School shooting

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... This is a list of hostage crises by date. ... School shooting is a term popularized in American and Canadian media to describe gun violence at educational institutions, especially the mass murder or spree killing of people connected with an institution. ...

References

This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... The United States Department of State, often referred to as the State Department, is the Cabinet-level foreign affairs agency of the United States government, equivalent to foreign ministries in other countries. ... For other uses, see The Independent (disambiguation). ... The Boston Globe (and Boston Sunday Globe) is the most widely circulated daily newspaper in Boston, Massachusetts and New England. ... is the 342nd day of the year (343rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... is the 245th day of the year (246th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 209th day of the year (210th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Moscow Times is an English-language daily newspaper published in Moscow, Russia since 1992. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... The International Herald Tribune is a widely read English language international newspaper. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... The Boston Globe (and Boston Sunday Globe) is the most widely circulated daily newspaper in Boston, Massachusetts and New England. ... The Weekly Standard is an American neoconservative [1] magazine published 48 times per year. ... The New York Times is a daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed internationally. ... For other uses, see Guardian. ... The Jamestown Foundation is a Washington-based think tank whose stated mission is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends which it regards as being of current strategic importance to the United States. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... The Christian Science Monitor (CSM) is an international newspaper published daily, Monday through Friday. ... // The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois and owned by the Tribune Company. ... It has been suggested that Crisis corps be merged into this article or section. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 86th day of the year (87th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991) and Petrograd (Петрогра́д, 1914–1924), is a city located in Northwestern Russia on the delta of the river Neva at the east end of the Gulf of Finland... The Jamestown Foundation is a Washington-based think tank whose stated mission is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends which it regards as being of current strategic importance to the United States. ... The Moscow Times is an English-language daily newspaper published in Moscow, Russia since 1992. ... This article concerns the British newspaper. ... is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 209th day of the year (210th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... For other uses, see The Independent (disambiguation). ... USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. ... Logo of the St. ... is the 238th day of the year (239th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 209th day of the year (210th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... August 2005 issue of Esquire Esquire is a mens magazine by the Hearst Corporation. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the broadcast network. ... The Washington Post is the largest newspaper in Washington, D.C.. It is also one of the citys oldest papers, having been founded in 1877. ... is the 245th day of the year (246th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 225th day of the year (226th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This just IN !!!:paris hiltons new dog. ... The Pulitzer Prize is an American award regarded as the highest national honor in print journalism, literary achievements, and musical composition. ... is the 246th day of the year (247th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 209th day of the year (210th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Look up time in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Radio-Canada redirects here. ... is the 152nd day of the year (153rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The New York Times is a daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed internationally. ... For other uses, see The Independent (disambiguation). ... The Independents old (pre-compact) masthead. ... Fox News Channels slogan is We Report, You Decide The Fox News Channel is a U.S. cable and satellite news channel. ... is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... UN and U.N. redirect here. ... is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... is the 255th day of the year (256th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 209th day of the year (210th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Novaya Gazeta (Russian: ) is a Russian newspaper. ... September 6 is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years). ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Novaya Gazeta (Russian: ) is a Russian newspaper. ... is the 291st day of the year (292nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Washington Post is the largest newspaper in Washington, D.C.. It is also one of the citys oldest papers, having been founded in 1877. ... This article is about the radio broadcast service. ... Logo of the St. ... CBS News logo, used from Sept. ... is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... David Satter (born in 1947 in Chicago) is an American journalist who wrote books about the decline and fall of the Soviet Union and the rise of the new Russian state. ... The Weekly Standard is an American neoconservative [1] magazine published 48 times per year. ... The Jamestown Foundation is a Washington-based think tank whose stated mission is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends which it regards as being of current strategic importance to the United States. ... The Jamestown Foundation is a Washington-based think tank whose stated mission is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends which it regards as being of current strategic importance to the United States. ... Kommersant (Cyrillic: Коммерса́нтъ) (which literally translates as The Businessman) is a commerce-oriented newspaper published in Russia. ... The New York Times is a daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed internationally. ... Logo of the St. ... is the 257th day of the year (258th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... is the 246th day of the year (247th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 323rd day of the year (324th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see The Independent (disambiguation). ... is the 291st day of the year (292nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... ... The Moscow Times is an English-language daily newspaper published in Moscow, Russia since 1992. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... The New York Times is a daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed internationally. ... For other uses, see Slate (disambiguation). ... The New York Times is a daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed internationally. ... The Christian Science Monitor (CSM) is an international newspaper published daily, Monday through Friday. ... is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Jamestown Foundation is a Washington-based think tank whose stated mission is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends which it regards as being of current strategic importance to the United States. ... The Jamestown Foundation is a Washington-based think tank whose stated mission is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends which it regards as being of current strategic importance to the United States. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... is the 241st day of the year (242nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Herald is a common name for newspapers throughout the English-speaking world, and the Sunday editions are often called Sunday Herald. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The New York Times is a daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed internationally. ... is the 357th day of the year (358th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Look up time in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Radio-Canada redirects here. ... Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is a radio and communications organization which is funded by the United States Congress. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... is the 255th day of the year (256th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the radio broadcast service. ... is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Kommersant (Cyrillic: Коммерса́нтъ) (which literally translates as The Businessman) is a commerce-oriented newspaper published in Russia. ... The Moscow Times is an English-language daily newspaper published in Moscow, Russia since 1992. ... The Jamestown Foundation is a Washington-based think tank whose stated mission is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends which it regards as being of current strategic importance to the United States. ... The Jamestown Foundation is a Washington-based think tank whose stated mission is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends which it regards as being of current strategic importance to the United States. ... The Associated Press, or AP, is an American news agency, the worlds largest such organization. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... Kommersant (Cyrillic: Коммерса́нтъ) (which literally translates as The Businessman) is a commerce-oriented newspaper published in Russia. ... For other uses, see Pravda (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Guardian. ... The Moscow Times is an English-language daily newspaper published in Moscow, Russia since 1992. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... PDF is an abbreviation with several meanings: Portable Document Format Post-doctoral fellowship Probability density function There also is an electronic design automation company named PDF Solutions. ... The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is an international organization for security. ... is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Radio-Canada redirects here. ... is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Guardian. ... Kommersant (Cyrillic: Коммерса́нтъ) (which literally translates as The Businessman) is a commerce-oriented newspaper published in Russia. ... is the 253rd day of the year (254th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Times is a national newspaper published daily in the United Kingdom (and the Kingdom of Great Britain before the United Kingdom existed) since 1788 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article concerns the British newspaper. ... is the 253rd day of the year (254th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... The Moscow Times is an English-language daily newspaper published in Moscow, Russia since 1992. ... ‹ The template below has been proposed for deletion. ... is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Washington Post is the largest newspaper in Washington, D.C.. It is also one of the citys oldest papers, having been founded in 1877. ... is the 266th day of the year (267th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... PRWeb is a company that distributes press releases over the Internet and via email and RSS feeds. ... is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... UNICEF Flag The United Nations Childrens Fund (or UNICEF) was created by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946 to provide emergency food and healthcare to children in countries that had been devastated by World War II. In 1953, UNICEF became a permanent part of the United... is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... UNICEF Flag The United Nations Childrens Fund (or UNICEF) was created by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946 to provide emergency food and healthcare to children in countries that had been devastated by World War II. In 1953, UNICEF became a permanent part of the United... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Times is a national newspaper published daily in the United Kingdom (and the Kingdom of Great Britain before the United Kingdom existed) since 1788 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register. ... is the 291st day of the year (292nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... September 8 is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years). ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is a radio and communications organization which is funded by the United States Congress. ... The Cable News Network, commonly known as CNN, is a major cable television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. ... is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... The Times is a national newspaper published daily in the United Kingdom (and the Kingdom of Great Britain before the United Kingdom existed) since 1788 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register. ... The Jamestown Foundation is a Washington-based think tank whose stated mission is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends which it regards as being of current strategic importance to the United States. ... For other uses, see The Independent (disambiguation). ... The Kavkaz Center is an Internet publication that claims to be a Chechen independent international Islamic internet agency. It was founded in March 1999 in the city of Grozny, by the National Center for Strategic Research and Political Technologies, headed by Movladi Udugov, former Minister for Information of the Chechen... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... GlobalSecurity. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... The Christian Science Monitor (CSM) is an international newspaper published daily, Monday through Friday. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... For other uses, see Guardian. ... is the 270th day of the year (271st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Guardian. ... is the 276th day of the year (277th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 277th day of the year (278th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 209th day of the year (210th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Jamestown Foundation (founded 1984) is an American think tank whose mission is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends which are current strategic importance to the United States. ... is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Novaya Gazeta (Russian: ) is a Russian newspaper. ... is the 333rd day of the year (334th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 333rd day of the year (334th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Moskovskiye Novosti (in English: Moscow News) is a long-established weekly newspaper aimed at an educated, elite audience. ... is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 254th day of the year (255th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Memorial (Russian: Мемориал) is an international historical and civil rights society that operates in a number of post-USSR states with the following missions stated in its charter: To promote mature civil society and democracy based on the rule of law and thus to prevent a return to totalitarianism; To assist... Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is a radio and communications organization which is funded by the United States Congress. ... ITAR-TASS (ИТАР-ТАСС), Information Telegraph Agency of Russia, is the major news agency of the Russian Federation. ... For other uses, see The Independent (disambiguation). ... Institute for War and Peace Reporting is an international media development charity, established in 1991. ... Memorial (Russian: Мемориал) is an international historical and civil rights society that operates in a number of post-USSR states with the following missions stated in its charter: To promote mature civil society and democracy based on the rule of law and thus to prevent a return to totalitarianism; To assist... is the 362nd day of the year (363rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... 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RES can refer to: a bimonthly media lifestyle magazine, see RES (magazine) a digital short film festival run by the magazine, see RESFest the R&B singer, Res (singer) See also: Renewable energy (sources) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists pages that might otherwise share the... is the 277th day of the year (278th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about a New York newspaper. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... The Moscow Times is an English-language daily newspaper published in Moscow, Russia since 1992. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Kommersant (Cyrillic: Коммерса́нтъ) (which literally translates as The Businessman) is a commerce-oriented newspaper published in Russia. ... For other uses, see Guardian. ... The Jamestown Foundation is a Washington-based think tank whose stated mission is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends which it regards as being of current strategic importance to the United States. ... is the 110th day of the year (111th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Jamestown Foundation is a Washington-based think tank whose stated mission is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends which it regards as being of current strategic importance to the United States. ... The front page of an issue of Pravda. ... is the 138th day of the year (139th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... is the 146th day of the year (147th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Memorial (Russian: Мемориал) is an international historical and civil rights society that operates in a number of post-USSR states with the following missions stated in its charter: To promote mature civil society and democracy based on the rule of law and thus to prevent a return to totalitarianism; To assist... For other uses, see The Independent (disambiguation). ... Nezavisimaya Gazeta (Независимая Газета; independent newspaper) is a Russian language daily newspaper, published by Izvestiya. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 51st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Guardian. ... Interfax is a Russian non-governmental press agency based in Moscow. ... Newsru [1] is an online Russian news web site. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 331st day of the year (332nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 51st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... is the 360th day of the year (361st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 240th day of the year (241st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... RIA (Russian Information Agency) Novosti is a Russian press agency based in Moscow. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... Reuters Group plc (LSE: RTR and NASDAQ: RTRSY); pronounced is known as a financial market data provider and a news service that provides reports from around the world to newspapers and broadcasters. ... Memorial (Russian: Мемориал) is an international historical and civil rights society that operates in a number of post-USSR states with the following missions stated in its charter: To promote mature civil society and democracy based on the rule of law and thus to prevent a return to totalitarianism; To assist... The Moscow Times is an English-language daily newspaper published in Moscow, Russia since 1992. ... The Moscow Times is an English-language daily newspaper published in Moscow, Russia since 1992. ... This article deals with The Daily Telegraph in Britain, see The Daily Telegraph (Australia) for the Australian publication The Daily Telegraph is a British broadsheet newspaper founded in 1855. ... For other uses, see Guardian. ... is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 212th day of the year (213th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Moscow Times is an English-language daily newspaper published in Moscow, Russia since 1992. ... // The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois and owned by the Tribune Company. ... The Jamestown Foundation is a Washington-based think tank whose stated mission is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends which it regards as being of current strategic importance to the United States. ... The Moscow Times is an English-language daily newspaper published in Moscow, Russia since 1992. ... The Times is a national newspaper published daily in the United Kingdom (and the Kingdom of Great Britain before the United Kingdom existed) since 1788 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register. ... The Jamestown Foundation is a Washington-based think tank whose stated mission is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends which it regards as being of current strategic importance to the United States. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... The Cable News Network, commonly known as CNN, is a major cable television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. ... is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 212th day of the year (213th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Jamestown Foundation is a Washington-based think tank whose stated mission is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends which it regards as being of current strategic importance to the United States. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... The Jamestown Foundation is a Washington-based think tank whose stated mission is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends which it regards as being of current strategic importance to the United States. ... is the 256th day of the year (257th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Radio-Canada redirects here. ... is the 253rd day of the year (254th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 212th day of the year (213th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... ... is the 363rd day of the year (364th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 212th day of the year (213th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The International Herald Tribune is a widely read English language international newspaper. ... Radio-Canada redirects here. ... Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is a radio and communications organization which is funded by the United States Congress. ... is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see The Independent (disambiguation). ... The Moscow Times is an English-language daily newspaper published in Moscow, Russia since 1992. ... This article is about the radio broadcast service. ... Novaya Gazeta (Russian: ) is a Russian newspaper. ... CBC Radio One is the English language news and information radio network of the publicly-owned Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. ... is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Modern Izvestia logo Old Izvestia logo. ... is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 66th day of the year (67th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Modern Izvestia logo Old Izvestia logo. ... is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 66th day of the year (67th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Modern Izvestia logo Old Izvestia logo. ... is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 66th day of the year (67th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Modern Izvestia logo Old Izvestia logo. ... is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 66th day of the year (67th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Modern Izvestia logo Old Izvestia logo. ... is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 66th day of the year (67th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Modern Izvestia logo Old Izvestia logo. ... is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 66th day of the year (67th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Modern Izvestia logo Old Izvestia logo. ... is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 66th day of the year (67th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Modern Izvestia logo Old Izvestia logo. ... is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 66th day of the year (67th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Modern Izvestia logo Old Izvestia logo. ... is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 66th day of the year (67th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Modern Izvestia logo Old Izvestia logo. ... is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 66th day of the year (67th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Modern Izvestia logo Old Izvestia logo. ... is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 66th day of the year (67th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Modern Izvestia logo Old Izvestia logo. ... is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 66th day of the year (67th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Memorial (Russian: Мемориал) is an international historical and civil rights society that operates in a number of post-USSR states with the following missions stated in its charter: To promote mature civil society and democracy based on the rule of law and thus to prevent a return to totalitarianism; To assist... Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is a radio and communications organization which is funded by the United States Congress. ... For other uses, see Guardian. ... The Moscow Times is an English-language daily newspaper published in Moscow, Russia since 1992. ... The Moscow Times is an English-language daily newspaper published in Moscow, Russia since 1992. ... The Daily Mail and its Sunday edition the Mail on Sunday are British newspapers, first published in 1896. ... The Jamestown Foundation is a Washington-based think tank whose stated mission is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends which it regards as being of current strategic importance to the United States. ... Memorial (Russian: Мемориал) is an international historical and civil rights society that operates in a number of post-USSR states with the following missions stated in its charter: To promote mature civil society and democracy based on the rule of law and thus to prevent a return to totalitarianism; To assist... Reuters Group plc (LSE: RTR and NASDAQ: RTRSY); pronounced is known as a financial market data provider and a news service that provides reports from around the world to newspapers and broadcasters. ... Look up ABC in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

External links

Wikinews has news coverage of the Beslan school hostage crisis:

• August 17, 2005
  • Two new schools open in Beslan
• August 2, 2005
  • Russia bans ABC following interview with Shamil Basayev
• March 8, 2005
  • Aslan Maskhadov killed by Russian special forces
• February 3, 2005
  • Shamil Basayev speaks about Beslan

• The School. Feature by C.J. Chivers. Esquire, June 2006, Volume 145, Issue 6. Last accessed October 4, 2007.
• Killers Set Terms, a Mother Chooses. A 2005 Pulitzer Prize winner by Kim Murphy, Los Angeles Times. Last accessed October 4, 2007.
• Focus: When hell came calling at Beslan's School No 1 The Guardian, September 5 2004
• Timeline: the Beslan school siege The Guardian, September 6 2004
• John B. Dunlop Beslan - Russia's 9/11?, American Committee for Peace in Chechnya and The Jamestown Foundation
• Russian press review. English overview of Russian press reaction, The Guardian, September 6, 2004.
• Global press review examining how Putin should respond, The Guardian, September 6, 2004.
• Pravda Beslana, public investigation of Beslan events (Beslan's Truth, Russian: Правда Беслана).
• Voice of Beslan English translation

Image File history File links WikiNews-Logo. ... Wikinews is a free-content news source and a project of the Wikimedia Foundation. ... is the 229th day of the year (230th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 214th day of the year (215th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 67th day of the year (68th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 34th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 2005 issue of Esquire Esquire is a mens magazine by the Hearst Corporation. ... is the 277th day of the year (278th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... The Pulitzer Prize is an American award regarded as the highest national honor in print journalism, literary achievements, and musical composition. ... This just IN !!!:paris hiltons new dog. ... is the 277th day of the year (278th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... For other uses, see Guardian. ... For other uses, see Guardian. ... The Jamestown Foundation is a Washington-based think tank whose stated mission is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends which it regards as being of current strategic importance to the United States. ... For other uses, see Guardian. ... For other uses, see Guardian. ...

Photos and videos

• Beslan school siege (09/01/2004) (very graphic!).
• New Video Of Beslan School Terror CBS, Jan. 21, 2005.
• Photo report by the German journalist Christian Kautz, visiting Beslan school at 2005.
• Terror in Russia. An interactive feature, New York Times.
• In pictures. The Beslan School Siege, The Guardian, September 2004.
• Russian TV broadcasts siege video BBC News, September 7, 2004.
• List of screen shots from BBC News & CNN.
• Beslan. To remember school siege victims, BBC News.
• Missing hostage photos", Novye Izvestia. Machine-translated by www.online-translator.com.
• Dispatches: Beslan, a Channel 4 ocumentary with interviews of people directly involved and affected by the siege.
• Life after Beslan. Kevin Sites photo essay (15 images).
• Crowd Video Footage From Terrorist Siege in Beslan, Russia.
• Pictures of children, teachers and parents who were killed during the event.
• Killed hostages.
• Photos of the Beslan school cemetery and inside the destroyed Beslan school.
• Hope for Beslan. Last accessed 4 October 2007
• Day-by-day transcriptions from criminal trial (Russian), (English). machine translation. Last accessed July 17, 2006.