Russia has charged four men with attacking a Moscow concert hall, killing at least 137 people. Three were led blindfolded into a Moscow courtroom, while the fourth was in a wheelchair. They were all charged with committing a terrorist act. The Islamic State group, or IS, claimed responsibility for Friday’s Moscow attack at Crocus City Hall and posted a video. Russian officials have claimed Ukrainian involvement without providing evidence. Kyiv calls the claim “absurd”.
Who are the Moscow attack suspects, charged by Russia?
The four were identified as Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, Saidakrami Murodali Rachabalizoda, Shamsidin Fariduni, and Muhammadsobir Fayzov.
Masked police marched three of them blindfolded into the Russian capital’s Basmanny district court. All appeared to be injured.
Mirzoyev and Rachabalizoda’s eyes were blackened, and the latter’s ear was heavily bandaged, reportedly due to being partially severed during his arrest.
According to Reuters, Fariduni’s face was severely swollen, and Fayzov was brought into court in a wheelchair and appeared to be missing an eye.
Mirzoyev, a Tajik citizen, “admitted his guilt in full,” according to a court statement posted on the Telegram messaging service. Rachabalizoda also “admitted guilt,” it stated.
The court ordered that all four remain in pre-trial detention until May 22.
ISIS claimed the attack within hours, stating that it was carried out by a branch known as the Islamic State in Khorasan, or IS-K.
It later released graphic footage of the attackers firing on the crowd inside the concert hall.