Criminal investigation initiated against members of “Voice of Beslan”

A criminal investigation was launched on 15 February against three of the leading members of “Voice of Beslan”: Ella Kesayeva, the Head of the Committee is facing charges under the following articles: 116 ("Beatings"), 130 ("Insult") and 318 ("Use of violence against a representative of the authorities"). 

The women are supposed to have committed these acts of violence against seven (1) court officers and one judge on 8 February.  This was allegedly because they were dissatisfied with the court’s ruling on their appeal against the liquidation of their organization under the present leadership. . .

“Voice of Beslan” thanks those who have spoken out in their support. On 18 February a protest was held outside the office of the North Ossetia-Alaniya Prosecutor. 

The following is a statement signed (so far) by 120 victims of the Beslan Tragedy

  To the European Court of Human Rights

  The Investigative Committee under the Beslan Prosecutor

We are writing to express our outrage at the criminal investigation initiated against E.L. Kesayeva, S.P. Margiyeva and E.D. Bzarova.

These victims are involved in an independent investigation of the Beslan Tragedy. Their position is that the hostages could have been saved, but negotiations were not held and that tanks,  weapons transporters, flame throwers and grenade launchers were used.  The lack of negotiations, the use of weapons against the school building led to the death or injury of most of the hostages. We share this view and believe that it is for this reason that the women are being persecuted and are facing a criminal investigation.

We are convinced that pressure is being placed on Ella Kesayeva, Svetlana Margiyeva and Emilia Bzarova over their complaint to the European Court of Human Rights.

We affirm that despite the crime committed on 3 September 2004 in School No. 1 against our children, we remain law-abiding citizens and act only within the law.

We know Ella Kesayeva, Svetlana Margiyeva and Emilia Bzarova and do not believe that they are capable of violence against anybody.

We demand that the criminal investigation be terminated.

120 signatures from victims of the Beslan Tragedy (signatures are still being collected)

“Voice of Beslan” is an organization of people who lost their children in the Beslan Tragedy. They are seeking the truth and are now being persecuted and need our help.  Please send them your words of support – cf. http://khpg.org.ua/en/index.php?id=1200361352