Four individuals allegedly linked to the Moscow concert hall attack, which resulted in the deaths of at least 137 people, have been formally charged with terrorism. According to a statement from Moscow’s Basmanny district court on Sunday, all four suspects face the possibility of a life sentence in prison.
The court ordered the suspects to be detained until May 22, with the possibility of extension depending on when the trial date is scheduled. Two of the defendants have reportedly pleaded guilty, with one of them, hailing from Tajikistan, fully acknowledging his involvement in the incident.
Authorities have previously stated that the perpetrators of the attack were all foreign nationals. In total, 11 individuals have been apprehended in connection with the Friday night assault at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow’s Krasnogorsk suburb, with four identified as the perpetrators.
Footage released by the court depicted three suspects being escorted into the courtroom in handcuffs, visibly subdued by law enforcement officers. A fourth individual arrived in a wheelchair, appearing to be in distress.
Notably, one of the defendants was observed with a bandaged ear, consistent with earlier footage from their arrest on Saturday, during which three of them sustained facial injuries.
While the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack, Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted at potential involvement from Kyiv during remarks on Saturday, stating that the suspects were apprehended while attempting to flee to Ukraine.
Both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the United States have refuted any suggestions of Kyiv’s involvement. The incident stands as the deadliest attack in Russia since the early 2000s.