Those Responsible for the Crocus Terror Attack Have Been Arrested: What Awaits Them

The Basman Court in Moscow has detained four individuals for two months in connection with the attack on Crocus City Hall: Muhammad Sabir Faizov, Fariduni Shamsiddin, Dalerjon Mirzoev, and Saidakram Rachabalizoda, which resulted in the deaths of 137 people. All four are citizens of Tajikistan aged between 19 and 32. At least two of them have admitted their guilt in court.

The charges related to the terrorism case could lead to life imprisonment. This has been reported by gazeta.ru.

On the evening of Friday, March 22, armed assailants opened fire in the Krasnogorsk concert hall just before a concert by the Picnic group and set the venue ablaze. As a result of the terrorist attack, at least 137 people have died, and more than 180 were injured, suffering from various wounds and burns. The Ministry of Emergency Situations has published a list of deceased individuals based on initial forensic examinations, which currently includes 68 names, and this list will be updated.

The Islamic State (a terrorist organization banned in Russia) has claimed responsibility for the attack. According to Western intelligence services, the attack is linked to the Afghan branch of ISIS, known as ISIS-Khorasan or Vilayat Khorasan (also recognized as a terrorist group and banned in Russia).

The Investigative Committee has initiated a criminal case under Part 3, Section B of Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (terrorist act), which carries a potential life sentence.

On the morning of March 23, 11 people were arrested, including the four who directly participated in the attack. They were apprehended in the Bryansk region. According to the FSB, they were planning to cross the Russian-Ukrainian border and had connections on the Ukrainian side.

The sessions of the Basman Court on March 24 were held in a closed regime. The court agreed with the prosecution's argument that open hearings could lead to the disclosure of investigative secrecy, as well as pose a threat to the safety of participants in the trial and their relatives. The court has ordered their detention until May 22, 2024.