Judge lists weapons used in Beslan school siege

A Russian judge today listed weapons used by militants and federal troops in the deadly Beslan school hostage-taking, fuelling anger from victims’ relatives who accused authorities of covering up excessive use of force during the rescue operation, which they blame for some of the deaths.

The account was part of the reading of the Vladikavkaz verdict in the trial of Nur-Pashi Kulayev, the sole surviving suspected attacker, for whom prosecutors have requested the death penalty.

Kulayev has admitted to participating in the attack, but denied killing anybody.

As Judge Tamerlan Aguzarov continued reading the verdict for the seventh day, Valery Karlov, 42, whose son died in the school raid, claimed the court had omitted several types of heavy weapons that the authorities had used.

He showed a reporter a photograph of a grenade launcher he claimed federal troops had used when the school was being stormed.

“The authorities are hiding the truth – they are concealing information,” Karlov said.

Other relatives showed up at the courthouse with banners reading “There is no forgiveness for the authorities that let Beslan happen.”

Most victims died on the third day of the crisis, in a hail of gunfire and explosions that erupted after one of the bombs the attackers rigged at the school went off and security forces tried to free hostages.

Survivors and victims’ relatives also claim many deaths occurred because troops fired at the school from tanks and flame throwers.

They also allege that corrupt officials helped the militants cross heavily policed territory to carry out the hostage-taking.

Aguzarov has already established that Kulayev had committed crimes, including murder, terrorism and the seizure of hostages, but the formal conviction and sentencing come only after all the circumstances of the case are pronounced by the court.

Aguzarov said the verdict reading would resume on Friday.