New circumstances of the terrorist attack in Beslan have emerged.

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The investigation into the circumstances of the terrorist attack in Beslan has gained new momentum; investigative authorities believe that there were more than 32 terrorists, and other details of the incident have emerged, representatives of the "Mothers of Beslan" committee reported during a press conference.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", annual memorial events are held in North Ossetia in memory of the victims of the terrorist attack in Beslan in 2004. On September 1, a three-day vigil began in Beslan, a liturgy was held at the Church of the New Martyrs in the courtyard of School No. 1, and hundreds of people came to the school to lay flowers and light candles. The main memorial events will take place on September 3.

At the annual press conference held on September 1, co-chair of the "Mothers of Beslan" committee Aneta Gadieva reported that investigative authorities currently tend to believe that the number of terrorists who took hostages in School No. 1 in Beslan was more than 32, as reported by "Krylya TV Ossetia".

Gadieva noted that there are discrepancies in eyewitness accounts regarding the official version of the number of terrorists; in addition to two female suicide bombers, hostages saw another woman in a black jumpsuit and armed.

Gadieva also noted that new details about the composition of the group of militants have become known; in particular, it was previously reported that one of those killed in Beslan was a native of Saudi Arabia, Abu Farukh, but the authorities of that country have not yet provided a definitive answer as to whether it was him, as there are no relatives who could confirm who the deceased was.

New details also concern the identity of the first hostage - police officer Sultan Gurazhev. It turned out that he is a second cousin of Ruslan Khuchbarov, who was the deputy head of the group.

Gadieva noted that the unresolved question remains about the inability to extinguish the fire in the school. Investigators claim that dropping water to extinguish the fire during the terrorist attack was impossible.

The co-chair of the "Mothers of Beslan" also emphasized that the investigation into the criminal case of the terrorist attack in Beslan has gained new momentum after a meeting with Vladimir Putin.

For her part, the chair of the committee, Susanna Dudieva, stated that the main tasks that the organization set for itself in working with the victims of the terrorist attack have been accomplished. She clarified that all victims received the necessary treatment and are undergoing sanatorium-resort rehabilitation. This also applies to the children of those who survived the attack. Hostages were assisted in obtaining education and subsequent employment.

It should be noted that 20 years after the terrorist attack, victims and relatives of the deceased continue to raise the issue of completing the investigation into the terrorist attack in Beslan. In August 2024, the "Mothers of Beslan" reminded Vladimir Putin that the investigation is not complete and proposed to adopt a law on the status of victims of terrorist acts that would enshrine social guarantees for the victims. In response, Putin stated that the possibility of considering this issue in the government could be explored.

In 2017, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) recognized violations of the rights of relatives of the deceased and victims of the terrorist attack in Beslan and awarded compensation to 409 applicants; the Ministry of Justice of Russia reported on their payment in 2019.

One of the long-standing subjects of dispute remains the circumstances of the operation on September 3, 2004. In September 2024, the "Mothers of Beslan" raised the issue of the use of tanks during the assault on the school at a meeting with the head of the Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin. Victims referred to testimonies of shooting from a tank until 21:00, while the official investigation indicated a later time. According to the official version, the decision to use flamethrowers and tanks was made when there were no living hostages left in the school. Representatives of "Voice of Beslan" pointed out that the cause of death for many hostages has not been established.

Victims have also repeatedly raised questions about treatment and rehabilitation. On August 17, 2024, former hostages complained about obstacles in obtaining medical assistance. Representatives of the "Mothers of Beslan" and "Voice of Beslan" linked the lack of funds for the treatment and rehabilitation of all former hostages to the absence of a law on victims of terrorist acts.

In 2023, the regional program to assist victims was extended until 2030, and in August 2024, Sergey Menyaylo reported that since the beginning of the year, more than 300 victims have undergone treatment and rehabilitation.