Moscow, 3 December 2002 (RFE/RL) -- A Moscow court today opened hearings on complaints from former hostages and victims' families in connection with the seizing of a Moscow theater by Chechen separatists in October. Eight plaintiffs are demanding compensation ranging from $500,000 to $1 million.
Lawyer Igor Trunov said the cases are based on Russia's new antiterrorism law, which stipulates that the Russian region where a terrorist attack takes place should compensate for psychological and material harm suffered by the victims.
The 23-26 October seizure of the theater ended with at least 170 casualties, including 41 hostage takers. Nearly all of the victims died from the effects of a narcotic gas used by Russian forces to knock out the separatists.
Lawyer Igor Trunov said the cases are based on Russia's new antiterrorism law, which stipulates that the Russian region where a terrorist attack takes place should compensate for psychological and material harm suffered by the victims.
The 23-26 October seizure of the theater ended with at least 170 casualties, including 41 hostage takers. Nearly all of the victims died from the effects of a narcotic gas used by Russian forces to knock out the separatists.