Four men charged in the devastating Moscow attack that claimed the lives of over 130 people appeared in court on Sunday, displaying signs of severe beatings. The court hearing revealed that two of the suspects admitted their guilt in the assault, although their physical condition raised concerns about the authenticity of their confessions. Conflicting reports in Russian media outlets had initially suggested that three or all four men had confessed to their involvement.
The four suspects, identified as Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, Shamsidin Fariduni, and Mukhammadsobir Faizov, were officially charged with committing a group terrorist attack resulting in the death of others. If convicted, they could face life imprisonment. All four men are citizens of Tajikistan. They are to be held in pre-trial custody until May 22.
Russian media had previously reported allegations of torture during the suspects’ interrogation by security services. Mirzoyev, Rachabalizoda, and Fariduni displayed visible signs of heavy bruising, including swollen faces. Rachabalizoda had a heavily bandaged ear, with reports suggesting that it had been cut off during interrogation. However, these reports and accompanying videos could not be independently verified. The fourth suspect, Faizov, appeared in court in a wheelchair, seemingly unconscious, wearing a hospital gown and trousers, and bearing multiple cuts.
Amidst the court proceedings, Russia observed a national day of mourning for the victims of the attack. The Crocus City Hall concert venue was targeted by gunmen affiliated with the Islamic State group. This attack has been deemed the deadliest on Russian soil in recent years. Russian authorities apprehended the four suspected attackers on Saturday and detained seven additional individuals on suspicion of involvement in the attack.
In response to the tragedy, cultural events were canceled, flags were lowered to half-staff, and television entertainment and advertising were suspended. Mourners flocked to a makeshift memorial near the burned-out concert hall, where a mound of flowers steadily grew. The attack struck a chord of grief and solidarity among the people, with one mourner expressing condolences to the affected families and paying tribute to the victims. The tragedy resonated throughout the country, evoking particular anguish over the fact that young children were among those killed.
Rescue efforts continued in the damaged building, leading to an increase in the death toll as more bodies were discovered. The Moscow Department of Health began the process of identifying the victims through DNA testing, estimating that it would take at least two weeks to complete.
Igor Pogadaev, whose wife attended the concert, has been desperately searching for any information about her whereabouts. After receiving two photos from her inside the venue, Pogadaev rushed to the scene but could not locate her among the ambulances or the crowd. Despite his frantic efforts and calls to a hotline for victims’ relatives, he found no information about his wife’s whereabouts. Pogadaev scoured hospitals in Moscow and the surrounding region but found no trace of her amongst the injured or identified victims.
President Vladimir Putin condemned the attack as a “bloody, barbaric terrorist act.” He claimed that Russian authorities captured the four suspects as they attempted to flee to Ukraine through a prepared “window” on the Ukrainian side of the border. However, Kyiv refuted these claims and accused Putin of falsely linking Ukraine to the assault to fuel support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
U.S. intelligence officials confirmed the Islamic State affiliate’s claim of responsibility for the attack. The U.S. had shared information with Russia in March about a planned terrorist attack in Moscow and had issued a public warning to Americans in Russia.
The attack represents a significant blow to Putin, occurring just days after he secured another six-year term in office. Critics on Russian social media questioned how such an attack could occur under the watchful eye of authorities who have aggressively suppressed opposition activities and silenced independent media.
The Islamic State group has long targeted Russia, particularly due to its intervention in the Syrian civil war. The group claimed responsibility for downing a Russian passenger plane over Sinai in 2015, resulting in the deaths of all 224 people on board. It recruits fighters from Russia and other former Soviet Union countries and has carried out various attacks in Russia in the past.
As the investigation continues and the country mourns its losses, the focus now turns to seeking justice for the victims and implementing measures to prevent such atrocities in the future. The Moscow attack serves as a grim reminder of the ever-present threat of terrorism and the need for increased security measures worldwide.
