Women-protesters in Beslan accused of violating order

Policemen have charged five women-participants of the protest action in Beslan, detained today together with journalists, with violation of the order of holding a meeting.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that this morning during a memorial service at School No. 1 in the city of Beslan, five women, who lost their relatives in 2004 in the terror acts, took off their jackets and sweaters and exposed their t-shirts with inscribed accusations against President of Russia. The action was filmed by Elena Kostyuchenko, a special correspondent of "Novaya Gazeta", and Diana Khachatryan, a reporter from the edition named "Takie Dela" (Such Matters), who were taken to the police station together with the protesters. In total, the journalists spent about two hours there.

The protesters were Ella Kesaeva, whose daughter was taken hostage, but survived; Emma Betrozova, who lost her husband and two sons in the terror act, Zhanna Tsirikhova, who herself was held hostage along with her two daughters, one of whom died.

Svetlana Margieva, who was also among the hostages with her daughter, who died in her arms, and Emilia Bzarova, whose son was killed during the terror act, also tried to express their protest.

Policemen are drawing up administrative protocols against them under Article 20.2 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offences (violation of the established order of holding a rally, demonstration, march or picketing), and today they will have to appear in court, the "Novaya Gazeta" writes.

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