Posted on 09/04/2004 4:52:41 AM PDT by Flavius
BESLAN. Sept 4 (Interfax) - A total of 26 terrorists were involved in the school seizure in the North Ossetian town of Beslan, Russian Deputy Prosecutor General Sergei Fridinsky told journalists in Beslan on Saturday.
All the hostage-takers have been killed, he said in an interview broadcast during the Rossiya television station's Vesti news program.
"Twenty-six bodies of militants were found and removed from the scene. We have no doubts that they are the people who took part in the terrorist attack. They are being identified at the moment," the deputy prosecutor general said.
Asked by a journalist whether any of the terrorists may still be on the run, Fridinsky said: "Most likely, no."
Asked whether any of the terrorists have been detained, the deputy prosecutor general answered in the negative.
"Looking at the results of all investigative operations conducted until today, we don't think a single person managed to escape," he said.
"There were a total of 26 people [militants]. And I think that this is the final figure," he said.
Commenting on possible theories behind the terrorist attack, Fridinsky said that "the theory is almost clear. The militants' demands were aimed at putting pressure on the authorities. But, of course, the authorities will not accept such demands on any occasion, and everything will be done to suppress such militants' sorties," he said.
Commenting on a previously suggested theory that the terrorists prepared the action in advance by delivering explosives and weapons disguised as construction materials to the Beslan school during this summer's repairs in the building, Fridinsky said that "so far, the investigation has not linked this sortie with the construction works in the school in any way."
Russians are very emotional people, but I don't think the Russian negotiators were that stupid.
I thought I read yesterday here on FR that the Russians had taken 3 of the terrorists captive? But there were also 3 or 4 of them holed up in the basement of the school.
At any rate they know who led the operation (Basayev) and that a Saudi born Wahabist (Abu Walid) was second in command and the money guy. They know who the players are, now it's just a question of exterminating the vermin. Putin will take dramatic action IMHO. They have been hammered hard in the past 2 weeks.
It could happen anywhere in the USA --- this massacre in Russia was a test run --- also Russia's government is still in chaos and doesn't have the ability to watch for this kind of thing as well as ours. I would guess something like this will happen in a country like Mexico for similar reasons. They could easily be thinking of a takeover of that country which would give them a big long muchly unguarded border to gain access to us.
Been to East Orange lately? Thought not. Russia is still very much an authoritarian state with a ruling oligarchy. They are much better positioned to keep tabs on things than we are in this still very open and free society.
Facilitated by the politicians and teacher unions that consider it more important to keep CCW holders out of schools, than secure them against terrorists.
Leni
now it's just a question of exterminating the vermin.
they have tried for 10 years
You're correct that they have been trying for 10 years, but one has to remember the Russian economy was in a shambles during the 90's. They had great difficulty in making the adjustment from a centrally planned system to a more free market model. Their economy seems to be turning around and is now growing at around 8% per annum. Also, one is seeing more and more articles about how they are once again upgrading their military capabilities.
I would bet that with a recovering economy and military, a new enemy to rally nationalistic identity and a leader like Putin things will begin to change.
The only thing recovering I see is central government and former kbg operatives moving into centers of power...
there is not 1 free newspaper in Russia..
not to mention of selling nuke info to Iran...
I dont see anything positive coming back from the small iron curtain..
but what do I know
I genuinely believe that you are completely correct. Bury the IslamoFascists in pig fat. Publicize this widely. Keep the burial sites secret.
This is a psychological technique to place them in hell for all eternity, according to Wahhabbi IslamoFascist beliefs.
An inexpensive deterrent.
Sadly this WILL happen in this country, without a doubt.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.