STAVROPOL, November 9 - The trial of gunman Nur-Magomed Khatuyev from the Shamil Basayev gang that attacked Budyonnovsk is beginning in Stavropol on Wednesday.

Press secretary of the Stavropol regional court Olga Budko told Itar-Tass Khatuyev is accused of membership in a stable armed gang, terrorism, mass taking of hostages and their maltreatment, illegal possession of weapons, use of forged documents and illegal crossing of the state border.

The gunman who has been on the federal wanted list for over 10 years was detained in Belarus in spring 2005 and then extradited to Russia.

In June 1995 the Basayev gang attacked Budyonnovsk seizing over 1,800 hostages. A total of 147 people died in the attack.
sections: Society, Region News
areas: Southern region