Men Hold Moscow Audience Hostage [Reports of 1000 Hostages]

AP News ^ | OCTOBER 23, 14:03 ET

[McGruff]

MOSCOW (AP) — Armed men entered a Moscow theater Wednesday and took the audience hostage, the Federal Security Service said.

The theater was holding a performance of the musical Nord-Ost, one of the Russian capital's most popular productions.

The Interfax news agency said one of its reporters was inside the theater at the time of the raid. She told them in a telephone call that the men had fired into the air and were preventing the audience from leaving, the agency said.

Police units were on their way to the scene.

[cantfindagoodscreenname]

Could it be that the terrorists in the theater are saying, if Russia votes with America, they will kill everyone in the theater?

I hadn't thought of that. That could very well be what's going on. I would think that they would make sure that they tell the media that that's what they're up to, though.

[aristeides]

What? Do the moose-limbs carry secret ids just in case of a hostage situation??

Maybe you get a pass if you can recite the right words in Arabic.

[mitchbert]

Most popular musical in Moscow according to BBC World News. Written by a Russian. Sells out consistantly.

[Lucas1]

I keep thinking this too so last night I went out and found this to remind me not to think that way.

So you would rather those bodies be our bodies? I mean it is either us or them...they do not play by the rules. One way or another there are going to be thousands/millions of body bags. It will either be our bags or theirs.

[steveegg]

Considering that prime time came and went in Moscow (IIRC, they're 7 hours ahead of the East), I doubt they're waiting for prime-time. Methinks they're waiting for the storming.

[Howlin]

Thanks!

[SerpentDove]

WITNESSES = WITNESSED

/dummy

[Eala]

Seizure took place during play "East-West". Here is a news feed logo of the developing situation in Moscva. Russian sez' I believe "Nov-Oct". I could be wrong.

The play is "Nord-Ost" (North-East). The text on the logo says Nord-Ost in Cyrillic.

[xm177e2]

allowed the hostages to use their cell phones to contact their loved ones.

Just like on Flight 93 and the one that was rammed into the Pentagon.

Like the people who called from the burning towers, and knew they couldn't escape.

This could be Russia's 9/11.

Attacks on civilians like this are equivalent to the use of weapons of mass destruction. If Russia wanted to use a few tactical nukes against the Chechens, they would be justified.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Especially when the secret police get a hold of them. Say bye-bye. There's no Gitmo in Moscow.

There's no ACLU or Trial Lawyer's Association there either. Not good for the bad guys.

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

Some theaters are multi-purpose.

Perhaps that is the case. Of course, given CNN's reputation, I'm hesitant to believe their reporting on this, especially since they don't seem to consider it newsworthy enough for a lead headline on their web page.

[Senator Pardek]

Located in southeastern Moscow in a working class neighborhood, the musical is based on Veniamin Kaverin's novel "Two Captains." The romantic novel recounts the story of two students and their different destinies during the Soviet times. The theater's producer, Alexander Tsekalo, said on Russian television that the theater could hold 1,163 people.

[BrooklynGOP]

I don't understand your question.

[dinasour]

Actually, I suspect there may not be any Chechen mobsters left in Moscow if this plays out tragically.

Actually, there may not be any Chechens left anywhere if this plays out tragically.

[Solson]

The bad guys know that and obviously do not care. When dealing with irrational people, rational thought does not work. Bomb the theater with pig carcuses(carcii?) and slime it with bacon.

[steveegg]

I hear you. I did manage to catch snipets of President Bush's speech regarding children and the Net. Of course, PMSNBC decided to not air the speech then jump all over it with criticism from both ends of the political spectrum.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

[So how did that work? 'Any muslims here before we get started?' 'Oh, me! Me!' 'OK, lessee ya prove it.']

Do muslims have a tattoo or something?

Maybe a secret handshake?

[rintense]

Damn! I missed Dubya. What did he say?

[steveegg]

What's a typo between friends :-)