Translated material
He served as an accomplice
Zaurbek Talhigov - The New Times
"I did everything I could." A few hours after the capture of the theater center on Dubrovka, in the early morning of October 24, 2002, a man came to the center of the center. His name was Zaurbek Talhigov, and he became those through whom the militants negotiated with the outside world. After a year and a half, he was sentenced by the Moscow City Court for eight and a half years to a maximum security colony as an accomplice of terrorists who captured Nord-Ost. He served the entire term and lives in Chechnya. The New Times found Talhigov and found out why he spoke with terrorists, whether he pleads his guilt and what is waiting for now 
Ten years ago, I came to Dubrovka with only the goal: during negotiations, to achieve the release of women and children. And thereby showing society: not every Chechen is a terrorist. If the Somalians captured the theater center, I would not go there. But he was captured by the Chechens.
At that time, any terrorist attack and any disaster - everything was attributed to the Caucasians. Now it has changed, but then a little that - they immediately talked about the Chechen trace. Somewhere, household gas exploded or the house collapsed due to the wrong design: the Caucasians are guilty.
I heard Aslakhanov’s call on TV and went to the theater center * * The then State Duma deputy Aslambek Aslakhanov turned to the Chechens “to stand up with a live shield and exchange themselves for hostages”.
** As Oleg Zhirov recalls, who was all three days near the building on Dubrovka and whose wife died during the attack, Talhigov said that he was familiar with Movsar Baraev, and "Russian politicians and FSB officers used him as an intermediary in negotiations." (Anna Politkovskaya, Nord-Ost. Unfinished investigation // New Gazeta No. 35 of May 15, 2006)
*** The court ruled that during a conversation with the militants of Talhigov, he provided them with psychological support and handed them information about the cordon of the building and snipers.
**** Films with telephone conversations were destroyed, as well as records that Talhigov himself provided the FSB.
***** According to Zhirov, “someone really did not want the liberation of foreigners. Therefore, Zaura was arrested, negotiated and stormed. " . Aslakhanov gave me a sheet with two telephone numbers. I realized that they immediately decided to storm the headquarters, but they pulled time to prepare. When I spoke with terrorists, they complained that their demands were not voiced on television. I asked them to free women and children and promised to give them everything they need for it, any way to convey information about what they want ** .
I do not think that I was convicted cruelly. I consider the injustice that I was generally condemned. It is cruel to sit without guilt for a month, year, eight years *** . In my conviction, the investigative brigade, the prosecutor’s office, those who, during the investigation, deliberately destroyed the facts capable of changing the course of the matter **** , are guilty. My case was considered in a closed meeting. But there were no state and personal secrets that are protected by the Constitution of the Russian Federation. The only secret - they did not want to conduct any negotiations ***** .
People believed me, but the court did not believe. I would not say that I pulled someone. But I prepared very good ground for the release of hostages, primarily foreigners.
They needed a victim, guilty. And they chose me. But I know: I did everything that could be done, I did everything I could. There are a lot of people like me, innocently convicted. But due to the fact that they are not so loud, they remain in the shade and sit in more stringent conditions.
Now I cannot find any work in Chechnya. People who have lived in the republic all these years are gradually adapting to the changes that have occurred. And I returned from prison, and I can be compared with the astronaut, who flew away at the Soviet Union, and returned to Russia. So I: left one republic and arrived nine years later to another. I wanted to do business again, but nothing happens.
I wrote to SSMESA Ramzan Kadyrov, asked for a meeting, I wanted to tell you that I was freed. Maybe I'm not a big person, but I want to continue to be useful to my people. He wrote by e -mail, through his site, called to his administration: they told me that there is no personal reception. I wait, maybe again there will be an open line with the people ...
Recorded Zoya Svetova