Accessibility links

Breaking News

Victims Of Beslan School Tragedy Commemorated


Graves of some of the over 330 victims of the Beslan tragedy (official site) September 1, 2006 -- Commemorations were held across Russia today to mark the second anniversary of the Beslan tragedy.


In Beslan, in the Russian republic of North Ossetia, hundreds of parents and children gathered at the school where on September 1, 2004 militants demanding an end to the war in nearby Chechnya took more than 1,000 children and adults hostage.


Mourners laid wreaths, lit candles, and left photographs to honor the dead.


The crisis ended three days later in a chaotic assault by security forces, during which more than 330 people were killed.


Two years later, an official report by a parliamentary commission formed to investigate the event continues to be delayed.


Many people have challenged the official version of events.


Today, Taymuraz Mamsurov, the president of North Ossetia, said that investigators have ignored evidence that there were more hostage takers than the official number given, 32.


Mamsurov, who lost two children in the attack, said that a search should be launched for the missing hostage-takers.


A man who authorities say is the sole surviving hostage-taker has been sentenced to life in prison.


Memorial events marking the anniversary of the Beslan tragedy conclude on September 3.


(compiled from agency reports)

Investigating The Beslan Tragedy

Investigating The Beslan Tragedy
A woman holds a picture of her son, who was injured during the Beslan hostage taking, while she listens on May 16 to the verdict in the only Beslan-related trial to be held (TASS)

WILL THE TRUTH BE KNOWN? As the second anniversary of the Beslan tragedy neared, Duma Deputy Yury Savelyev, a member of the official investigating committee, issued a 700-page report that veers sharply from the official explanation...(more)


RELATED ARTICLES

Parliamentary Probe Into Beslan Tragedy Finds Officials At Fault

Basaev Says Beslan Raid Prompted By FSB Sting

Putin's 'Managed' Investigation Into Beslan

Putin Rejects Open Inquiry Into Beslan Tragedy

Troubling Questions Remain About Bloody Beslan Siege


An archive of RFE/RL's coverage of Beslan and its aftermath.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG