(Filed: 29/10/2002)

Moscow's chief prosecutor says 45 victims of the hostage-taking raid on a Moscow theatre died of gunshot wounds.

Mikhail Avdyukov's comments contradict statements by doctors who say nearly all died from gas pumped into the building by Russian special forces.

He says the number does not include hostage-takers, Russia's Interfax news agency reports. It included 43 hostages, one woman who was shot dead early in the 58-hour ordeal and a man whose identity he said has not been established.

He said investigators were looking into whether the man may have been one of the attackers, the agency reported.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2002