Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on hostage-taking in the Russian Federation

The Secretary-General was appalled to learn that more than a hundred pupils are being held hostage at a secondary school in Beslan, Russian Federation. The attack on the school has already resulted in deaths. He calls for the immediate release of the children, their parents and teachers, and condemns in the strongest terms this criminal act directed against the most vulnerable members of society.