25-3-2024 (MOSCOW) Four men accused of orchestrating the devastating attack on a concert hall in Russia that claimed the lives of over 130 people appeared before a Moscow court on Sunday. However, their physical condition raised concerns as they exhibited signs of severe beatings, with one of them barely conscious during the hearing.
During the preliminary hearing, two of the suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the assault, although doubts lingered about whether their admissions were made voluntarily due to their apparent injuries. Earlier reports from Russian media outlets had provided conflicting information, suggesting that three or all four individuals had admitted culpability.
The Basmanny District Court in Moscow formally charged Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, 32; Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, 30; Shamsidin Fariduni, 25; and Mukhammadsobir Faizov, 19, with committing a group terrorist attack resulting in the loss of lives. If convicted, they could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The court ordered that all four suspects, who are Tajikistan citizens, be remanded in custody until May 22.
Numerous reports in Russian media alleged that the men had been subjected to torture during their interrogation by security forces. Mirzoyev, Rachabalizoda, and Fariduni displayed visible signs of severe bruising, including swollen faces. Rachabalizoda also had a heavily bandaged ear, with unverified claims suggesting that one of the suspects had his ear cut off during the interrogation. The Associated Press was unable to independently verify these reports or the videos circulating online purportedly showing the incident.
The fourth suspect, Faizov, appeared in court in a wheelchair and remained with his eyes closed throughout the proceedings. He wore a hospital gown and trousers, bearing multiple cuts, and received medical attention in the courtroom.
According to court officials, Mirzoyev and Rachabalizoda admitted their guilt during the hearing after being formally charged.
The court appearance coincided with a national day of mourning observed in Russia in remembrance of the attack that took place at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in the suburbs. The assault, claimed by an affiliate of the Islamic State group, stands as the deadliest act of terrorism on Russian soil in recent years.
Russian authorities arrested the four main suspects on Saturday, along with seven other individuals suspected of involvement in the attack, as announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his address to the nation. He stated that they were apprehended while attempting to flee to Ukraine, a claim firmly denied by Kyiv.
As a mark of respect, cultural events were canceled, flags were lowered to half-staff, and television entertainment and advertising were suspended. A makeshift memorial near the charred concert hall grew steadily as people laid flowers in tribute to the victims.
The tragic incident has deeply affected the nation, with mourners expressing their condolences to the families impacted by the attack. Among the victims were three children, adding to the senselessness of the event.
Rescue teams continued searching the damaged building, resulting in an increase in the death toll as more bodies were discovered. Family members and friends of the missing anxiously awaited news about their loved ones. The Moscow Department of Health announced that DNA testing would be employed to identify the bodies, a process expected to take at least two weeks.
Igor Pogadaev, whose wife Yana Pogadaeva attended the ill-fated concert, desperately sought any information about her whereabouts. The last contact he had with her was when she sent him two photos from the Crocus City Hall venue. Despite his frantic efforts to locate her, he failed to find her among the ambulances or the crowd that had evacuated the venue.
Pogadaev watched in horror as flames engulfed the building, making repeated calls to a hotline for victims’ relatives but received no information. As the death toll continued to rise, he tirelessly searched hospitals in Moscow and the surrounding region, hoping to find any trace of his wife. Unfortunately, she was neither among the reported injured nor the list of identified victims.
Video footage released by the Moscow Region’s Emergency Situations Ministry showed the dismantling of the damaged music venue to facilitate rescue operations.
President Putin condemned the attack as a “bloody, barbaric terrorist act” and claimed that the four suspects were captured while attempting to escape to Ukraine through a prearranged “window” on the Ukrainian side of the border. However, Kyiv accused Putin and other Russian politicians of falsely linking Ukraine to the assault in an effort to fuel support for Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
U.S. intelligence officials confirmed the claim made by the Islamic State affiliate, asserting that ISIS bore sole responsibility for the attack. The U.S. had previously shared information with Russia in March regarding a planned terrorist attack in Moscow and had issued a public warning to American citizens in the country.
The attack poses a significant setback for Putin, occurring shortly after his reelection and amid rising tensions with Ukraine. The Russian president has faced criticism for his handling of security issues and the country’s counterterrorism efforts.
International human rights organizations have expressed concern about the alleged torture of the suspects during their interrogation. They called for an independent investigation into the matter to ensure that their rights were not violated and that the truth about their involvement in the attack is revealed.
Three of the four suspects charged with carrying out the concert hall attack in Moscow that killed more than 130 people admitted guilt in a Russian court on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/wFrGqZtFET
— 5Pillars (@5Pillarsuk) March 25, 2024
