Russia Accuses Maskhadov of Involvement in Moscow Hostage Crisis - 2002-10-31

Russian officials defended the use of an anesthetic gas to resolve the hostage crisis at the Moscow theater. In a press conference held today in Moscow, the Federal Security Service stated that the hostage-takers had enough explosives with them to blow up the building and kill everyone. In this press conference, Vladimir Putin's senior advisor on Chechnya, Aslan Maskhadov, the leader of the Chechen separatist rebels, was accused of being involved in the hostage-taking plot. Mr. Maskhadov denied any involvement in this incident. Meanwhile, Russian authorities in Moscow have arrested a Chechen on suspicion of terrorist activities. It is reported that this individual was carrying 8 kilograms of mercury. Continuing the news, the Kremlin, after accusing Aslan Maskhadov of being involved in last week's hostage crisis in Moscow, rejected any peace negotiations with the separatist Chechen republic. On Thursday, a Kremlin spokesperson stated that there are no legitimate leaders in Chechnya who can be trusted as peace partners. The Kremlin claims that a phone call made by one of the armed men during the theater occupation proves that Maskhadov ordered the attack. Maskhadov has denied this accusation. On Thursday, Russian officials also defended the use of an anesthetic gas to end the hostage crisis, even though 115 people died. More than 600 hostages survived.