MOSCOW. On a suburban Moscow concert hall that claimed 144 lives, Tajikistan’s state security service has detained nine individuals suspected of having contact with the perpetrators, as reported by Russian state news agency RIA Novosti on Friday.
According to RIA Novosti, the detainees, residents of the Vakhdat district, are believed to have had connections with the assailants responsible for the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall on March 22. The report, citing information from an unnamed source in Tajikistan’s special services, also mentioned the involvement of Russian security forces in the operation to apprehend the suspects.
Additionally, those detained are suspected of having ties to the Islamic State group, adding another layer to the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Investigative Committee announced on Thursday the detention of another suspect linked to the attack, focusing on suspicions of financing the assault. However, details regarding the identity and alleged actions of the newly detained individual were not disclosed.
Previously, Russian officials had announced the arrest of 11 suspects, including four individuals allegedly directly involved in carrying out the attack. The suspects, identified as Tajik nationals, appeared in a Moscow court facing terrorism charges, with visible signs of severe beatings raising concerns about their treatment in custody.
While a faction of the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the massacre, Russian authorities, led by President Vladimir Putin, have continuously suggested, without substantiating evidence, the involvement of Ukraine and the West in the attack.
In a statement, the Investigative Committee asserted having evidence indicating that the attackers received significant financial support, including cryptocurrency, from Ukraine, purportedly utilized in planning the crime. However, Ukrainian authorities vehemently deny any involvement, accusing Moscow of using the allegation as a pretext to escalate tensions.
As the death toll from the tragedy continues to climb, reaching 144 on Friday with the passing of a severely injured victim in the hospital, according to Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, the repercussions of the attack reverberate both domestically and internationally, underscoring the complexities surrounding the investigation and its geopolitical implications.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
