Russia blames an unfriendly state for planning Moscow concert hall attack
- Russian officials claim that the Moscow concert hall attack was organized by special services of an unfriendly state.
- Svetlana Petrenko announced charges against six Central Asians involved in recruiting and training suspects outside Russia.
- The investigation continues with 19 people detained in connection with the attack.
On March 22, 2024, Russian officials publicly claimed that the devastating attack on a Moscow concert hall that resulted in 145 fatalities was orchestrated by the special services of an unspecified unfriendly state. Svetlana Petrenko, spokesperson for the Russian Investigative Committee, emphasized that the objective was to destabilize the internal situation within Russia. While the identity of the alleged state wasn't disclosed, Petrenko indicated that six individuals from Central Asia had been charged and placed on Russia's wanted list for their roles in recruitment and training activities that allegedly involved the perpetrators of the concert hall attack. The accused attackers, identified in media reports as citizens of Tajikistan, were presented in a Moscow court in March 2024, facing terrorism charges. During this appearance, they displayed visible signs of physical abuse, with one of them appearing almost unconscious, raising concerns about their treatment while in custody. Meanwhile, a faction of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the brutal assault, which included gunmen opening fire on concertgoers awaiting a show by a popular rock band before setting the venue ablaze. Despite the claims from the Islamic State, Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have continually suggested, though without clear evidence, that Ukrainian entities played a part in the planning and execution of the assault. Ukraine has firmly rejected these accusations, asserting that they are unfounded and part of a broader narrative to divert attention from internal issues within Russia. This situation illustrates the complexity of regional security dynamics and the often politically charged narratives surrounding acts of terrorism in the region. Currently, there are 19 individuals detained in relation to the attack, underscoring the ongoing investigation and response from Russian authorities following this tragic event.