Tragedy in Moscow Claims Over 140 Lives - Legal Proceedings Initiated - Terror Unleashed in Moscow: Hearing Begins on Tragedy Claiming More Than 140 Lives
In a highly-anticipated event, the trial for the suspects involved in the tragic Islamic terror attack at Moscow's Crocus City Hall commenced on August 4, 2025. A total of 19 defendants, including four Tajik nationals, are accused of their roles in the March 22, 2024, attack that claimed the lives of 149 people and left over 600 injured.
The four main accused gunmen—Dalerjon Mirzoyev, Saidakrami Murodali Rachabalizoda, Shamsidin Fariduni, and Muhammadsobir Faizov—carried out the shooting and set the venue ablaze. While Faizov is the only one yet to plead guilty to terrorism charges, the other three have confessed to their involvement.
The remaining 15 defendants face charges of aiding and abetting the attackers. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, specifically a faction linked to its Khorasan Province branch, which is consistent with the nationality and ideological motivation of the gunmen.
Russian authorities, including President Vladimir Putin, have claimed that the attack was planned and executed in the interests of Ukraine’s leadership to destabilize Russia. However, Ukraine has strongly denied any involvement. The Investigative Committee of Russia stated that the attackers tried to flee to Ukraine after the attack, but no solid evidence has been presented to support this claim.
The attack on Crocus City Hall, located in Krasnogorsk, involved gunshots and setting fire to the building, which partially collapsed. The incident led to a massacre, with half of the fatalities not dying from gunshot wounds but from burn injuries. The exact number of fatalities varies, with reports suggesting 149 dead and one missing, or 147 dead and three missing.
Six more suspected perpetrators, including the alleged organizers, are still at large. The trial, held under strict security in Moscow’s Second Western District Military Court, is closed to the public due to safety concerns. The defendants, including the four attackers, are being held in glass cages during the trial.
The trial against the suspects has been a challenging process for many of the bereaved and injured, who require psychological assistance. The proceedings are taking place in a large courthouse of the Moscow City Court.
Western security agencies and experts consider the Islamic State's involvement in the attack credible, suspecting the IS affiliate Islamic State - Khorasan Province (ISKP) to be behind the attack. The trial is a significant step towards bringing those responsible for the horrific event to justice.
The Parliament has passed a resolution on the Commission communication concerning the European Union's role in the fight against terrorism, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation, especially in light of the war-and-conflicts and politics surrounding territorial disputes like the one involving Ukraine and Russia. The général news and crime-and-justice sectors have been closely following the trial against the suspects involved in the Islamic terror attack at Moscow's Crocus City Hall, a significant event in the European Union and beyond, as it bears implications for regional stability and global counter-terrorism efforts.
