Crocus City Hall Terror Attack: Fire Exits Were Closed, Court Rules

The criminal case regarding the provision of services not compliant with security requirements is being investigated in connection with the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert hall near Moscow, and it relates to the building's security organization. This information was disclosed in the decision of the Moscow Basmanny Court on May 17, which extended the detention of four defendants in the terrorism case.

The Kommersant newspaper had previously reported that two employees of the concert hall were detained in relation to the provision of services not compliant with security requirements; they have since been released under the condition that they do not leave the country. The publication stated that the claims against these defendants "stem from the fact that the fire exits from the hall were closed."

On March 22, several armed individuals stormed the Crocus City Hall, opening fire on visitors and staff. A fire broke out in the building. A total of 144 people were killed in the attack. The Russian Investigative Committee is investigating the criminal case related to the terrorist act.

In May, Alexander Bortnikov, the head of Russia's FSB, stated that more than 20 people had been arrested in connection with the criminal case, including both direct perpetrators and accomplices.