PARIS — The European Court of Human Rights has agreed to rule in a case brought by nearly 400 survivors and family members of victims of a school hostage-taking in southern Russia in 2004 that left more than 300 dead.
The survivors and family members argue that the state failed to protect victims in Beslan, and that there wasn't an effective investigation into what happened. Some say disproportionate force by authorities led to many of the deaths.
The France-based court on Thursday rejected some complaints but accepted most of them, and said it will rule later.
Armed radical Islamic assailants seized the school on the first day of classes, prompting a long standoff that ended in explosions and gunfire. More than half of the hostages killed were children.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
