MOSCOW, December 17 (RAPSI) – Russian authorities have reopened investigation into a deadly hostage crisis at the Dubrovka theatre in Moscow in October 2002 that left 130 dead, following the arrest of one of the suspected organizers of the attack, Khasan Zakayev, Kommersant newspaper reported on Wednesday.
It is not reported where Zakayev, a 41-year-old resident of Chechnya, was detained or when.
Moscow's Presnensky District Court has arrested Zakayev at the motion of the Investigative Committee, according to Kommersant. His arrest was reportedly extended until February 18, 2015.
Zakayev is charged with masterminding the terrorist attack, attempted murder by a group of persons and being a membe of a criminal gang. If convicted, he faces life in prison.
Zakayev’s defense attorney, Suleiman Ibragimov, refused to comment on the investigation because he signed a secrecy agreement regarding the investigation and any other information about this case.
A group of terrorists led by Movsar Basayev took hostage the audience and participants of the Nord-Ost musical on October 23, 2002. All 40 attackers were killed. The majority of hostages were released in an operation planned by Russian security services.
According to investigators, Chechen separatist leader Shamil Basayev who was reportedly killed in 2006 and Gerikhan Dudayev who is still at large are among the organizers of the attack.