Federation Council Might Institute a State of Emergency

The act of terrorism in Moscow caused the Federation Council hold an emergency session yesterday. It was decided to close the meeting to the press. The chairman of the Federation Council, Sergey Mironov, prohibited the senators to leave the territory of the Russian capital. He explained his decision by saying that the senators will have to hold more sessions in the nearest future. One could assume that this was ordered due to the possibility of instituting a state of emergency in Moscow. This is the role of the Federation Council, according to the Constitution.

The main result of October 24th was an address to the parliamentarians of the world. The senators denounced the unprecedented act of terrorism in Moscow. Sergey Mironov virtually accused several European countries of the using double standards against Russia. Mironov was implying the World Congress of Chechens in Denmark, which gathers many extremists.

Deputy chairman of the Federation Council, Alexander Torshin, suggested conducting an inventory of the entire military arsenal of military units. This was suggested in order to set up strict control over the arms traffic in the country. The head of the Federation Council’s Committee for Security and Defense, Viktor Ozerov, told journalists that the Council is in close contact with the law-enforcement bodies, particularly with the Russian Security Council and its departments.

As it became known, the special services have photographs of the majority of the terrorists held up in the theatre. As a RIA Novosti correspondent informed, this was reported by spokesman for the emergency headquarters Sergey Ignatchenko. He also pointed out that the exact number of terrorists is known. Yet, he did not say how many of them there are exactly. Ignatchenko stated that the headquarters knows from what countries the foreign hostages are citizens of.

The President of the international organization Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), Jean-Herve Bradol, has arrived in Moscow. He is currently staying at the special headquarters, according to RIA Novosti. One of terrorists’ requirements included the presence of someone from Medecins Sans Frontieres. The president of the organization left for Moscow after the requirement was announced. Another senior representative of this international organization is expected to come to Moscow today as well.

As it was stressed by the Moscow division of the organization, Doctors Without Borders is ready to render any necessary medical and other humanitarian aid to the hostages in compliance.

NTV photo

PRAVDA.Ru

Translated by Dmitry Sudakov