22:20, 13 April 2007

European Court accepts applications of Dubrovka terror act victims

The European Court for Human Rights has initiated proceedings of the complaint of 58 victims of the terror act in the Dubrovka Theatre Centre, Igor Trunov, claimants' advocate, has reported. "We filed the complaint four years ago and, finally, the Court has made its decision to consider it," the defender said.

He added that not only Russian citizens, but also those from Ukraine, the Netherlands and Kazakhstan, filed complaints to the Strasbourg Court, the RIA "Novosti" reports.

"In response to our complaint, the European Court has informed that the respondent - the government of Russia - should have presented its objections before last June 27," Mr. Trunov added.

The "Caucasian Knot" informed earlier that on October 23, 2002, a total of 923 spectators and actors of "Nord-Ost" musical were taken hostage by terrorists. At least 130 persons perished and over 700 more were injured. 40 terrorists (21 men and 19 women) were killed. The majority of hostages were liberated in the course of a special operation undertaken on October 26, 2002.