 The man accused over the Beslan school raid in southern Russia that killed more than 330 people has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Nur-Pashi Kulayev, the sole defendant in the trial, is accused of terrorism and murder. More than 1,200 hostages were held in a sweltering gymnasium at the Beslan school by over 30 heavily armed militants. The raid ended in a maelstrom of explosions, gunfire and frightened, bloodied children fleeing the mayhem. More than half those who died were children. Officials say 31 of the militants were killed either during or after the final day of fighting. At the trial, Judge Tamerlan Aguzarov asked Kulayev if he wanted to plead guilty to any of the charges. Kulayev said "no".
The plea came after prosecutors spent nearly two days reading the lengthy indictment and listing the victims of the raid last year's at Beslan's School No. 1 and the injuries they suffered. In television footage last year, Kulayev was shown confessing to participating in the raid, but said he personally did not kill anyone.
If convicted, Kulayev could get up to life in prison.
| A shot to the back of the head would be appropriate. |
| I have no doubt that someone in Russia remembers how to do this. |
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