Nine New Suspects Arrested in Tajikistan in Connection with Crocus Attack

The State National Security Committee of Tajikistan has arrested nine individuals on suspicion of links to a terrorist group, Reuters reports citing its sources. They were detained on Monday in the town of Vahdat, located 19 kilometers from Dushanbe.

One of the alleged terrorists from the same town, Saidakam Raсhabolizoda, has been sent to a detention facility for two months.

Currently, nine figures have been identified in the terrorism case, who were arrested in Russia. They include four alleged perpetrators, three family members of the Islomovs who allegedly sold a vehicle to the terrorists, a Russian citizen, and a Kyrgyz man, Alisher Kasimov, who rented an apartment to the accused attackers via the Avito classifieds. An unknown man is also accused of financing the terrorist activities.

On March 22, a terrorist attack in Moscow resulted in the deaths of 143 people and injuries to 382 others. More than 140 requests have been filed with the Investigative Committee by those trying to locate their relatives who were at Crocus during the attack. Vladimir Putin has blamed the attack on Ukraine and the West, although responsibility has been claimed by the Islamic State.