Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich!

We, the former hostages and relatives of those who died during the act of terrorist that took place during a performance of ‘Nord-Ost’ on October 23–26, 2002, appeal to you to review a decision made by a commission of the Moscow city culture committee, which does not consider it necessary to affix to the ‘Nord-Ost’ memorial a plaque bearing the names of those innocent men, women, and children, our loved ones and relatives, who died there. Commission members explained to us that the area outside Dubrovka is not a cemetery, and so this was their argument in refusing our request for a plaque.

The commission did not consider it necessary to listen to the opinions of those who lost loved ones in the tragedy. The commission did not wish to take into account the depth of our grief. For all of us, this area is a mass grave. We are forced to come here to honor the memory of our loved ones, those whom you could not protect or save. A plaque with the names of the dead is to remind everyone, as well as you and us, of what happened during those tragic days in October 2002.

Relatives of those killed at ‘Nord-Ost’ have gone through a lot: the deaths of loved ones, and the humiliating behavior of the authorities. Back then you did not do a lot. Now here is a chance to clear your conscience by at least allowing this plaque!

S. N. Karpov, chairman of the ‘Nord-Ost’ interregional public organization

T. I. Karpova, co-chair of the organization