European Court of Human Rights Finds Russia Guilty in Beslan Hostage Crisis

The European Court of Human Rights has criticized Russia's actions during the 2004 hostage crisis at Beslan school and ordered the country to pay €2,955,000 in damages. On Thursday, April 13, the court stated that Russia exhibited 'serious inefficiencies' and used heavy weapons such as 'tanks, grenade launchers, and flamethrowers' to confront the hostage-takers. According to this ruling, Russia has been found guilty of 'violating European laws on human rights.' The court emphasized that Russia had 'serious inefficiencies and deficiencies' during the hostage crisis that resulted in the deaths of 330 people. According to a report by AFP, the court's ruling specified that although Russian security officials had received information about a 'terrorist' operation, they did not take appropriate measures to prevent it, including increasing security at Beslan school. On the first day of September 2004, several Chechen militants attacked a school in Beslan, North Ossetia, taking dozens of hostages, including schoolchildren. The militants demanded the withdrawal of Russian military forces from Chechnya. The hostage crisis ultimately ended after three days with a military assault by Russian forces on the school. Russian military used both heavy and light weapons to end the hostage situation. During this assault, 330 people were killed, more than 180 of whom were children. Over 400 Russian citizens connected to the incident filed a petition with the European Court of Human Rights, seeking justice in this case. Families of the victims and survivors of the Beslan incident described the actions of the Russian government under President Vladimir Putin and its security forces in dealing with the hostage crisis as 'disorganized and chaotic.' The European Court of Human Rights has criticized the handling of the Beslan incident in Russia. This court is part of the Council of Europe, of which Russia is also a member.