29 November 2005, 21:18
Minister's evidence fails to shed light
Mr Kazbek Dzantiyev, former Internal Affairs Minister of North Ossetia, was interrogated as a witness at today's hearing of Mr Nurpashi Kulayev's case in the republican Supreme Court earlier today. Solicited by the lawyer of the victims, the interrogation continued for about two hours.
Mr Dzantiyev said that he had not been a member of the operations headquarters during the Beslan school seizure. According to the former minister, his jurisdiction comprised coordination of militarised agency units and school blockade.
In saying so, Mr Dzantiyev claimed that he did not know what forces had taken part in the onslaught. He does not know the properties of the weapons that were used in the onslaught either, or the way heavy weapons were used.
Accusations addressed to the former minister were shouted from the courtroom, according to Gazeta.Ru. However, he replied with vague utterances. "We all are to blame, including me," added Mr Dzantiyev.
Mr Kazbek Dzantiyev resigned as North Ossetia's Internal Affairs Minister on 4 September 2004, the next day after the onslaught on the school.
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