Assassination Of Russia

A 52-minute documentary, using footage originally shot by NTV. The film examines the September explosions, and focuses on the foiled bombing in Ryazan on September 22, 1999. It puts a human face onto the tragedy- you will hear from those who were there, saw it, and lived through it.

The film vividly portrays the inconsistencies in government officials' reactions to Ryazan, and their later attempts to consistently blame the Chechens. Questions about the possible involvement of the special services are raised.

Bloody September

In September of 1999, a series of middle of the night explosions shook Russian cities destroying several apartment blocks. More than 300 people died as they slept. The attacks, attributed to the Chechen terrorists, boosted the popularity of the hawkish would-be President Vladimir Putin.

Then, a strange thing happened. A bomb was defused by the local police, the trail of evidence leading to the door of FSB, the Russian secret service. The FSB was forced to admit "an ill-conceived exercise".

Ever since, a question has lingered over Mr. Putin's presidency: Who Done It? Why no one has been convicted of 9/99 attacks? Why the investigation was suppressed? Witnessess disappeared? Inquisitive journalists imtimidated? Critical TV stations closed down? In these pages you will find the facts, the news and the views about the gravest of unsolved crimes of the XX century.