Moscow Court Upholds Arrest of Suspect in Crocus Shopping Mall Terrorist Attack

The Moscow City Court has upheld the arrest of Nazrimad Lutfulloi, a suspect in the deadly terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall shopping center near Moscow that killed at least 145 people and injured over 551 on March 22, 2024. The court rejected an appeal by Lutfulloi, a 24-year-old Tajik national, against his detention.

The attack occurred on the evening of March 22 when four gunmen in camouflage opened fire with assault rifles at concertgoers at the venue and used incendiary devices to set the hall on fire before fleeing. The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack through its Amaq News Agency, with the regional branch Islamic State Khorasan Province (IS-KP) likely being responsible, according to investigators.

Why this matters: The Crocus City Hall attack is the deadliest terrorist incident in Russia since the 2004 Beslan school siege and has raised concerns about the threat posed by IS to the country. It also comes amid strained relations between Russia and Tajikistan, with the Tajik government condemning the treatment of Tajik suspects detained in the case.

Preliminary investigations indicate the victims died from gunshot wounds and inhalation of toxic fumes from the fire. The Russian Investigative Committee stated that no mined bodies or other traces of mining have been found at the crime scene. Four combat gear sets, over 500 cartridges, 28 magazines, and two Kalashnikov guns belonging to the attackers were retrieved from the site.

The court also upheld the arrest of another suspect, Alisher Kasimov, a Kyrgyz national, who had appealed against his detention. In total, investigators have detained 11 people in relation to the attack, including four suspects charged with terrorism offenses.

The Tajik government has condemned the treatment of the Tajik suspects, alleging they were tortured in custody, with some showing signs of abuse when they appeared in court. Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin called the use of torture "unacceptable" and urged Russian authorities to respect the rights of the Tajik suspects and adhere to international law in their investigations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called the attack a "barbaric terrorist act" and declared March 24, 2024 a national day of mourning. The US had previously warned Russia of a potential attack by IS-KP, but Russia said no concrete information was provided.

The Crocus City Hall, built in 2009, is one of the largest concert venues in the Moscow area and has hosted various high-profile events. The death toll from the March 22 attack currently stands at 145, with the identification of victims still ongoing, according to the Investigative Committee. The arrest of Lutfulloi and Kasimov, key suspects in the case, is seen as a significant step in the ongoing investigation into the deadliest terrorist attack in Russia in two decades.

Key Takeaways

• Moscow court upholds arrest of Tajik suspect in Crocus City Hall attack.
• Attack killed 145, injured 551, claimed by Islamic State Khorasan Province.
• Deadliest terrorist incident in Russia since 2004 Beslan school siege.
• Tajik govt condemns treatment of Tajik suspects, alleges torture in custody.
• 11 suspects detained, 4 charged with terrorism, investigation ongoing.