Victims Of Beslan School Tragedy Commemorated

Graves of some of the over 330 victims of the Beslan tragedy (official site) September 1, 2006 -- Commemorations were held across Russia today to mark the second anniversary of the Beslan tragedy.

In Beslan, in the Russian republic of North Ossetia, hundreds of parents and children gathered at the school where on September 1, 2004 militants demanding an end to the war in nearby Chechnya took more than 1,000 children and adults hostage.

Mourners laid wreaths, lit candles, and left photographs to honor the dead.

The crisis ended three days later in a chaotic assault by security forces, during which more than 330 people were killed.

Two years later, an official report by a parliamentary commission formed to investigate the event continues to be delayed.

Many people have challenged the official version of events.

Today, Taymuraz Mamsurov, the president of North Ossetia, said that investigators have ignored evidence that there were more hostage takers than the official number given, 32.

Mamsurov, who lost two children in the attack, said that a search should be launched for the missing hostage-takers.

A man who authorities say is the sole surviving hostage-taker has been sentenced to life in prison.

Memorial events marking the anniversary of the Beslan tragedy conclude on September 3.

(compiled from agency reports)