English, American, Swiss and Russian citizens are among the hostages

There are four Russian citizens among hostages, taken in Istanbul hotel “Swissotel”, official spokesman for Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Yakovenko reports. Most of the hostages are English, Americans and nationals of other countries. According to news agencies, there are also hotel staff and 10 employees of Swiss air company Swissair among them. The terrorists, headed by Mohammed Tokcan, are demanding that weapons be given to them and say that they have taken their action in protest against what the Russian federal units are doing in Chechnya.