MOSCOW, November 22 (RAPSI, Diana Gutsul) – Khasan Zakayev, an alleged mastermind of the hostage taking at the Dubrovka theater in southeast Moscow in 2002 that left 130 dead, partially admitted guilt, RAPSI learned in the Moscow Military District Court on Tuesday.
“Zakayev partially admitted his guilt in relation to transfer of weapons in 2001 and 2002,” RAPSI correspondent was told by the court’s representative.
Earlier, the hearing was adjourned in order to respect the rights of victims. There about 900 injured persons in the case living in different regions; not all of them have been summoned, according to a judge.
The Moscow District Military Court began hearing the case on November 2. Only about 55 victims attended the court. A prosecutor said that 68 victims have not been notified.
Investigators claim that Zakayev was a member of a criminal gang headed by Chechen separatist leader Shamil Basayev and assisted in organizing the terrorist attack and taking of hostages at the theater. In 2002, he allegedly organized transportation of weapon and homemade explosive devices to Moscow for terrorists.
A group of terrorists led by Movsar Barayev took hostage the audience and participants of the Nord-Ost musical on October 23, 2002.
40 attackers were killed. Zakayev is the only one who was arrested, victims’ lawyer Igor Trunov said earlier.
The majority of hostages were released in an operation planned by Russian security services.
Shamil Basayev who was reportedly killed in 2006 and Gerikhan Dudayev who is still at large are among the organizers of the attack, according to investigators.