Employees of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations at the school in Beslan, North Ossetia. PinterestThough the decision to resort to the use of lethal force had been justified in the circumstances, such a massive use of explosive and indiscriminate weapons could not be regarded as absolutely necessary, European Court of Human Rights. BBCThe tense siege ended suddenly on the third day with two deadly explosions and intense gunfire. Witnesses described the operation by Russian security forces as chaotic, saying that the troops used excessive force and heavy weapons. BBCAida Sidakova shortly before she tried to climb back inside the blitzed school gym to look for her mother. Daily MailA mother hugs her son in front of soldiers cordoning off the school building. CNNPeople look for their relatives among the bodies of the Beslan siege victims as the morgue in Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia, Russia on September 4, 2004. CNNPeople look for relatives among the dead bodies of the Beslan victims in Vladikavkaz, Russia. CNNNurpashi Kulayev stands in the defendant’s cage during the proceedings of his trial in Vladikavkaz, May 24, 2006. Kulayev was the only surviving terrorist responsible for a terrorist act staged at the school. He was found guilty of terrorism and other charges and sentenced to life in prison. CNNA memorial vigil held in the aftermath of the terrorist attack. PinterestRussian women light candles after a special memorial service at the town church on September 7, 2004. CNNOn September 1, 2004, armed Islamic Chechen rebels took approximately 1,200 children and adults hostage at a school in Beslan, Russia. Hundreds of people were killed as a result of the three-day siege. CNNThe siege ended on September 3, 2004, leaving 334 people dead, including 186 children, and more than 700 people wounded. CNNThe burned gymnasium where most of the children perished has been transformed into something of a shrine to those that were killed. thevelvetrocekt
