Bloodshed in Moscow leaves 140 dead; Russia points fingers at Ukraine for culpability
In a closed-door trial, a group of defendants, including four alleged perpetrators and 15 alleged accomplices, are standing trial in Moscow for their involvement in the 2024 terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Krasnogorsk near Moscow.
The attack, which occurred over a year ago on March 22, 2024, resulted in at least 147 fatalities and 3 missing individuals, according to reports by Interfax, with over 330 people injured. The defendants, who are being held in glass cages during the proceedings, are accused of providing the terrorists with money, cars, or weapons, or of harboring them.
Russia has attributed the attack to the Islamic State (IS) and Ukraine, with no solid evidence presented for the latter. The Russian General Prosecutor's Office maintains that the attack was organized "in the interests of the top leadership of Ukraine." However, the identities of alleged Ukrainian masterminds remain unconfirmed, with only vague official accusations and no publicly named individuals.
The attack was carried out by four Tajikistan nationals who were arrested in the Russian region of Bryansk near the border with Ukraine and Belarus. The defendants, who pleaded guilty and expressed remorse for their actions, are accused of opening fire on concert-goers of the Russian rock group Piknik, causing a fire that led to part of the building collapsing.
Many of the bereaved and injured require psychological assistance, and at least one of the captured attackers showed signs of torture. The trial, which started secretly on Sunday, is being held in a military court chamber at the request of the prosecution. Six suspects charged in absentia are accused of recruiting and organizing the attackers, but their identities remain unknown.
International observers, including the U.S., have dismissed Russia's claims as propaganda. The Islamic State faction itself claimed responsibility for the attack, emphasizing that Russia was the target, not Ukraine. Ukraine has strongly denied any involvement.
As the trial unfolds, the world waits to see if any concrete evidence will emerge to support Russia's assertions about Ukrainian involvement in the attack. Until then, the case remains a contentious issue between the two nations.
The trial in Moscow, involving defendants accused of aiding the terrorists responsible for the 2024 Crocus City Hall attack, involves charges related to general-news events and politics, given the geopolitical implications of the case. The attack, commonly discussed in crime-and-justice news, is a topic of international interest, with Russia attributing the actions to the Islamic State and Ukraine, while the latter strongly denies any involvement.
