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Comply or killings start at dawn: Chechen rebels
Moscow, Oct 25: Gunmen holding hundreds of hostages in a Moscow theatre threatened to begin killing them at dawn Saturday if their demands are not met, a spokeswoman for the musical that was interrupted by the raid said Friday.
Among the freed hostages were eight children, including a Swiss citizen, who were let go in the afternoon.
"The children were released without any conditions," said Dmitry Rogozin, chairman of the Russian parliament`s international affairs committee, who was on the scene as a contact with representatives of foreign governments.
President Vladimir Putin said the audacious raid was planned by terrorists based outside Russia, and the Qatar-based TV channel al-Jazeera broadcast statements allegedly made by some of the hostage-takers.
"I swear by God we are more keen on dying than you are keen on living," a black-clad male said in the broadcast believed to have been recorded Wednesday. "Each one of us is willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of God and the independence of Chechnya."
Bureau Report