United Press International: Gunmen hold hostages in Moscow theater

The Web site said the armed group has a single demand -- "stop the war and a rapid withdrawal of Russian (forces) from Chechnya."


The Web site said "the building is mined and the mujahedin (fighters) are mined. They are suicide commandos."


Valery Gribakin, a spokesman for Moscow police, said the special forces believed as many as 40 or 50 armed men and women were involved in the hostage-taking. He said as many as 150 people, including children, women, Muslims and foreigners, particularly nationals of the former Soviet republic of Georgia, had been released or had managed to escape.


A further 17 people trapped elsewhere in the theater were led out of the building by heavily armed special service officers, and a pregnant woman was allowed by the gunmen to walk out of the building.


However, the authorities estimate that between 600 and 700 people are still being held hostage more than five hours after the attack took place.