VLADIKAVKAZ, May 16 (RIA Novosti) - A judge Tuesday started reading the verdict in the case of a man allegedly involved in a bloody terrorist attack on a school in south Russia in 2004.
Prosecutors say Nurpasha Kulayev is the only survivor of 32 gunmen who took hundreds hostage at school No. 1 in Beslan in the North Caucasus region of North Ossetia on September 1, 2004, the start of the new academic year. A total of 331 people died in the Beslan atrocity, including 186 children.
Deputy Prosecutor General Nikolai Shepel said prosecutors had provided full evidence of Kulayev's guilt.
"I think we have managed to produce complete evidence of the crime on all charges," Shepel said. He declined to comment on a possible verdict.
"The judge has already left the conference room, and although I think it would not be considered as pressure on the court, I believe it improper to comment on the verdict," he said.
The families of the Beslan siege victims have arrived at the court in Vladikavkaz, the capital of North Ossetia, from Beslan and are holding pictures of the children, parents and teachers killed and wounded in the attack.
Women are also holding banners with slogans including "Terrorist Kulayev, you have chosen your own verdict."
Security has been beefed up at the site. Sniffer dogs have inspected the building and the area surrounding the court.
