Chechens condemn Putin over Beslan

Two Chechen dissidents broke cover today to condemn President Putin over the Beslan tragedy.

Akhmed Zakayev and Alexander Litvinenko claimed the Russian president was primarily responsible for the scale of the disaster at the school.

At a press conference organised by actress Vanessa Redgrave, Mr Zakayev questioned the assumption that Chechen rebels were responsible for the hostage-taking.

Former KGB officer Mr Litvinenko, who was granted political asylum in Britain four years ago, said events had shown "the whole thing was provoked by the Russian secret services".

He said Mr Putin had a choice to negotiate an end to the siege or to send in troops, and " deliberately chose" the latter.