Forces let me in to Beslan, Chechen rebel says

MOSCOW - The man behind the Beslan school siege said on Tuesday a failed Russian special services sting had allowed his militants a free passage into the region to conduct the attack that killed 330 people almost a year ago.

Shamil Basayev, Russia's most wanted man, issued the statement on separatist website www.kavkazcenter.com days before the anniversary of the bloodbath and at a time when authorities face criticism for failing to clarify what happened.

Basayev said a special services agent had been sent undercover to the rebels to persuade them to plan an attack in Vladikavkaz, capital of the North Ossetia region bordering Chechnya. But the agent confessed to the rebels, who were then able to plan an alternative.

They were allowed to enter the region with ease, with security services believing they would be able to capture them as they headed for Vladikavkaz, Basayev said.

But the rebels went instead to Beslan.

"From August 31, they opened a way in for us ... and we went along it to Beslan, 'mixing up' the time and target of the attack," said Basayev, who describes himself as a terrorist.

The Russian government could not be reached for comment.

- REUTERS