Russia commemorates second anniversary of Moscow threater hostage-taking

Several hundreds of Moscovites voluntarily gathered on Tuesday at the site of the theater hostage-taking event two years ago to mourn their beloved ones who were killed in the tragedy.

Russia commemorates second anniversary of Moscow threater hostage-taking

Flowers, candles and photos of those killed in the hostage-taking crisis in Moscow's Dubrovka theater piled up at the entrance of the building and in the front of the memorial plaque bearing the names of the 130 victims in the raid launched by Chechen commandos on Oct. 23, 2002.

A weeping old woman dressed in dark groaned at the scene that she lost her only son in the tragedy and has to live with her daughter-in-law and grandson on her mere pension now.

Valentina complained that although her daughter was rescued by the Russian special forces, the medical operation failed to save her life after seven days of effort due to the narcotic gas pumped into the theater by the servicemen to knock out the hostage-takers.

"She is my only daughter, and I couldn't help missing her everyday," said Valentina.

Five Orthodox clergymen sang in chorus for the victims during a solemn memorial ceremony, which was echoed by many attendants of the commemorative public rally.

Two years after the tragedy, Russians still blame the hostage crisis on corruption and poor performance of law enforcement agencies and special services.

A public opinion survey conducted by Yury Levada's Analytical Center this month showed that 56 percent of respondents believed corruption among police and civil servants as the main reasons for the tragedy, Interfax news agency reported Tuesday.

Moreover, 38 percent of those polled referred to a lack of action by the special services, while 22 percent blamed the police. At the same time, 18 percent of respondents said that it is impossible to prevent such terrorist attacks.

Tuesday's memorial activity was nearly two months after the Beslan hostage-taking event, which claimed lives of over 330 people.

Russian authorities blamed both tragedies on Chechen rebels reportedly masterminded by Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev.

A Russian lawmaker criticized on Tuesday that few positive changes have taken place in the country's security system since the Dubrovka terrorist attack.

"Of course, something has changed. But as far as changes in the system of countering terrorism are concerned, one can hardly speak about any serious breakthrough in this area," said Vladimir Vasilyev, chairman of the security committee under the State Duma, or lower house of Russian parliament.

Sergei Goncharov, president of the Association of Alfa Group Veterans, also said that no conclusions have been drawn from the two hostage crises yet over the past two years.

"We, unfortunately, still have not drawn any serious conclusions. And to be frank, what is particularly alarming is that no steps have been taken to improve the national security system," Goncharov was quoted by Interfax as saying.

Source: Xinhua