Russia’s Investigative Committee believes that the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert hall was planned and organised by special services of an “unfriendly state” in order to destabilise the situation in Russia, Investigative Committee spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko said on 22 March.
“Members of an international terrorist organisation were involved in its commission. The direct organisation of the terrorist attack was carried out by six citizens of Central Asia, some of whom go by pseudonyms. They are abroad, in connection with which they are arrested in absentia and declared wanted,” the report says.
According to the investigation, they recruited four perpetrators of the terrorist attack – Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, Muhammadzobir Faizov, Shamsidin Fariduni and Saidakram Rachabalizoda – and organised their training outside Russia.
The persons who provided the suspects with accommodation, transport, weapons and finance are also being held criminally liable.
After familiarisation with the case materials is completed, the accused will be brought to court.
The attack on the concert hall took place in the evening of 22 March 2024. More than 6,000 people were in the building. A group of armed men fired on the visitors with automatic weapons. The building was set on fire. According to the latest data, 144 people were killed, more than 380 suffered. The Investigative Committee earlier reported the detention of 12 suspects. It is known about the arrest of 10 of them, mostly citizens of Tajikistan.