MOSCOW, January 24 (RAPSI) – A defendant in the criminal case over the attack and taking hostages in Russia’s town of Budyonnovsk in 1995, Badruddi Daudov, has pleaded not guilty, the North Caucasus District Military Court’s press service told RAPSI on Wednesday.

The next hearing in the case is set for February 2. The defendant is charged with taking hostages, participation in a gang and terrorism.

According to the criminal case, in June 1995, Daudov participated in the attack under the leadership of notorious warlord Shamil Basayev.

On June 14, 1995, a group of at least 160 gunmen led by Basayev attacked Budyonnovsk, holding 1,586 people as hostages at a local hospital. The attack left 129 persons dead and 317 injured while the property damage was estimated at 95.6 billion rubles (about $1.6 billion at the current exchange rate).

Overall, 30 members of the gang have been sentenced to terms varying from 11 to 15 years in prison. Proceedings against five members, including Basayev, were dropped due to their death. The federal and international wanted lists include 29 persons more.