Video Reopens Debate Over Beslan Attack

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Video Reopens Debate Over Beslan Attack

Tuesday July 31, 2007 7:16 PM

By MIKE ECKEL

Associated Press Writer

MOSCOW (AP) - A video that remained secret for nearly
three years after the horrific Beslan hostage crisis has cast
new doubt on official conclusions about what led to the
deaths of 334 people, more than half of them children, during
one of Russia's worst terrorist attacks.

The footage is far from definitive, but appears to lend
credence to the theory that security forces bear at least
some of the blame for the high death toll.

A central question about the carnage is what caused the
initial explosions that were followed by a chaotic gunbattle,
fire and the collapse of the roof of School No. 1's gymnasium,
where more than 1,100 hostages had been held by militants
demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops from Chechnya.

-snip-

It was not clear who made the video or why, but it appeared
to have been made by prosecutors or government investigators.
The fact that it reflects badly on security agencies may explain
why it was kept secret for so long.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6818114,00.html