Russia identifies deadly gas

October 31, 2002

MOSCOW — Russian officials acknowledged for the first time Wednesday that the powerful opiate fentanyl was used in the rescue operation at a Moscow theater that killed at least 117 hostages.

Health Minister Yuri Shevchenko insisted the compound was an anesthetic that would not cause death under normal circumstances. But he said it was likely fatal for many of the hostages, who were weakened after sitting in cramped quarters for 58 hours under severe stress.

Also on Wednesday, Denmark arrested a key aide to the Chechen rebel who spearheaded the theater raid. Akhmed Zakayev, who has denied links to terrorism, was detained at his hotel. He was in Denmark for a Chechen conference.

What is fentanyl?

Fentanyl is most often used as a painkiller, and is usually given by injection or through a skin patch. High doses can be fatal.