VLADIKAVKAZ, May 16 (RIA Novosti) - A court has found the only surviving attacker of a school in south Russia guilty on charges of terrorism, hostage taking and murder.
Prosecutors said Nurpashi Kulayev - who faces up to 20 years in jail - 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.
The verdict, currently being read out at the Supreme Court in Vladikavkaz, the North Ossetian capital, said Kulayev had been involved in the brutal terrorist attack, and had killed law-enforcement officers.
The court also said Kulayev was a member of a gang guilty of obtaining and keeping ammunition, and taking hostages in an attempt to force the government to meet his demands.
Prosecutors demanded the death penalty for Kulayev, while his lawyers insisted on a life sentence.
Although the verdict reading may take several days, all those present are listening to the judge standing. Only one TV camera is taping the process, and all journalists are receiving information in an adjacent room.
The families of the Beslan siege victims have arrived at the court 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.
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.
