Pro-Chechen gunmen who held 120 people hostage in a luxury hotel in Turkey appeared in court today while court officials decided whether to hold them in custody before their trial.

Gunmen, led by a veteran hostage taker, surrendered in a luxury Istanbul hotel today after holding at least 30 guests and staff overnight.

Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific said today that some of its 16 air crew staying at a luxury hotel seized by pro-Chechen gunmen in Istanbul were believed to be hostages.