13:31, 17 November 2003

Use of fentanyl on Dubrovka recognized by FSB

On November 12, 2003, the office of the All-Russian Movement "For Human Rights" received a reply made by the FSB (Federal Security Service) Department for Moscow and Moscow region to the movement's September inquiry about the composition and concentration of the gas and the duration of it use when storming the theatre building.

The reply is signed by the department head Zakharov. The FSB department's letter reads that "a special mixture based on fentanyl derivatives was used against terrorists to prevent the mass loss of people." However, the FSB department refused to impart the details of how the special mixture had been used (its composition, concentration, and duration of its use), citing Article 15 of the Federal Law "On Struggle Against Terrorism". But, according to the Russian Constitution and the Law of the Russian Federation "On State Secret", information that is essential for life and health (effective treatment is impossible without knowledge of exposure) can not be classified as secret. So it is obvious that the Federal Security Service broke the law in the case in question.

Source: All-Russian Public Movement "For Human Rights"