In a significant development, Moscow’s Basmanny district court has formally charged four individuals—Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, Shamsidin Fariduni, and Muhammadsobir Fayzov—with acts of terrorism arising from the recent Moscow concert hall attack. Mirzoyev, Rachabalizoda, and Fariduni admitted to their involvement, while Fayzov, currently hospitalized, appeared in court under medical care. The quartet, reportedly Tajikistan citizens residing in Russia, will remain in pre-trial detention until May 22, according to Reuters.
Photographs from the courtroom depicted the suspects bearing injuries, including one with a missing eye, another with a bandaged ear, a third with a black eye and a torn bag around his neck, and the fourth with a swollen face appearing disoriented. The nation mourned the devastating assault, marking it as the deadliest incident within Russia in two decades. President Vladimir Putin declared Sunday a national day of mourning to honor the 137 lives lost, including three children, and the 182 injured in the tragic event.
Putin disclosed that 11 individuals, including the four assailants, were apprehended post-attack. Despite attempts to evade capture, the perpetrators were detained near the Ukrainian border. Although the Islamic State claimed responsibility, Putin refrained from directly linking the attack to the militant group, instead alleging that the suspects sought refuge in Ukraine with aid from individuals on the Ukrainian side.
The assault, reminiscent of the 2004 Beslan school siege, has sparked renewed discussions regarding security protocols and counter-terrorism strategies in Russia. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to vigorously pursue justice in response to such heinous acts.”