Alexander Dzasokhov, former president of the Russian republic of North Ossetia
Photo: Michail Galustov
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Alexander Dzasokhov Is Slowing Down the Trial
// According to the victims of the terrorist act
The Kulaev Case
The court session in the case of Beslan terrorist Nurpasha Kulaev was disrupted yesterday. Victims expressed their dissatisfaction at the failure of former president of North Ossetia to appear in court and demanded his dismissal from the Federation Council. Former president of Ingushetia Ruslan Aushev, former president of North Ossetia Dzasokhov, former education minister of North Ossetia Alina Levitskaya and businessman Mikhail Gutseriev were called to testify. None of them were present. Victims of the terrorist act began to create a disturbance, but Judge Tamerlan Aguzarov was able to maintain order. That was not for long though. After the court declined a petition to call former head of the FSB division for Pravoberezhny District Oleg Gaidenko, head of the FSB department for the Southern Federal District Taimuraz Kaloev, Deputy Interior Minister of North Ossetia Soslan Sikoev, pediatrician Leonid Roshal, former presidential representative for the Southern District Vladimir Yakovlev, Deputy Prosecutor General of Russia Sergey Fridinsky and other victims, it was impossible to calm the women.
“You are forcing us into a corner,” petitioner Ella Kasaeva shouted. “If the petition is not granted, we will take to the streets.”
“Why did the prosecutor and court bring in witness at the first request of Kulaev?” another woman asked in amazement. “He asked for Muzhikhoeva and Ganiev and they brought them right away. From jail. Kulaev, maybe you'll read the petition in your name?”
Then someone asked Deputy Prosecutor General Nikolay Shepel about the report on the investigation that he spoke about two days ago.
“I made public only part of the conclusions,” he said. “I did not make any commentary on the conclusions. The conclusions have to have a legal evaluation.”
“I'm sick of it!” someone cried out. “Who is guilty for the murder of my son?”
“One is sitting on the bench and the others were annihilated,” Shepel answered without hesitation.
“Even beasts take vengeance for their children,” another woman shouted. “I am not calling for vengeance, but I want you to know that we will never turn from our path, even if it costs us our lives.”
The prosecution decided to continue reading the evidentiary basis, but the victims interrupted. At that point, the judge called a recess. The victims did not leave the courtroom, but announced that they were preparing a statement. In the meantime, lawyer for the victims Soslan Kochiev characterized the report on the investigation illegal.
After half an hour, a group of women led by Susanna Dudieva emerged from the courtroom.
“Today the court session was disrupted because of the failure of witnesses for the prosecution to appear,” Dudieva stated. “In addition, the court declined a petition to call witnesses whom we consider important for explaining the causes of the terrorist act. Our cup of patience is running over. Dzasokhov was called by the prosecutor to be witness No. 1, but, for unknown reasons, he does not want to appear in court. We do not think that Dzasokhov has the right to represent the Ossetian people in the Federation Council and we appeal to parliament and the residents of the republic to support this plea. People who are unworthy to be called men should be called by their right name – cowards! If they demand that we be law-abiding, ten let everyone be so, and not just us! It is time for him to stop covering himself with the immunity of Federation Council members.”
They returned to the courtroom after that statement and remained there until 7:00. Activist Aneta Gadieva told Kommersant that they were waiting for Judge Auzarov and that the judge promised them that the trial would not be conclude without the appearance of Dzasokhov. “That promise satisfied us fully,” she stated.
Zaur Farniev
All the Article in Russian as of Dec. 28, 2005
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