20:31, 25 March 2015

MCC upholds extension of arrest of defendant in case of terror act at Dubrovka Theatre

The Moscow City Court (MCC) has left the 41-year-old Khasan Zakaev, a defendant in the case of the seizure of the Dubrovka Theatre, under arrest until June 21.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 17, 2014, it was reported that the investigation into the criminal case on taking of hostages during the musical "Nord-Ost" was resumed in connection with the detention of Chechen native Khasan Zakaev. According to investigators, Khasan Zakaev was detained while he tried to enter Crimea from Ukraine with forged documents.

According to investigators, Khasan Zakaev was a member of "an organized criminal grouping led by Shamil Basaev," and he "aided in the preparation of the terror act and taking of hostages in the Dubrovka Theatre."

Khasan Zakaev has already been charged with involvement in a criminal grouping, preparation for a terror act, aiding in taking hostages, attempted murder of two or more persons, illegal possession of weapons, and deliberate destruction of other people's property, the "TASS" reports.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.