Moscow concert hall attack suspects appear in court as Russia defends security services | CNN
Suspects in deadly Moscow concert hall attack appear in court on terror charges linked to ISIS.
- Bilawal Riaz
- 1 min read
Four suspects accused of carrying out a deadly attack at a Moscow concert hall appeared in court on terror charges. The attackers, from Tajikistan, allegedly shot civilians at close range before setting the venue on fire, resulting in numerous casualties. Despite ISIS claiming responsibility, the Kremlin suggested the perpetrators planned to escape to Ukraine, a claim Kyiv vehemently denied. Russian President Vladimir Putin attributed the attack to radical Islamists. The suspects, who pleaded guilty, were visibly injured and detained until May 2022. The incident, Russia’s deadliest in nearly 20 years, provoked shock and calls for severe punishment. Relations with the US were strained, with warnings of a potential attack disregarded by Russian officials. Allegations linking Ukraine to the attack were dismissed as provocations.