Russia Arrests 11 Suspects in Shooting and Arson Terror Attacks

All Suspects Including 4 Key Ones Arrested
Terror Death Toll Exceeds 100

All suspects involved in the indiscriminate shooting and arson attack at a performance venue in Moscow, Russia, have been arrested.

On the 23rd (local time), according to TASS and Sputnik news agencies, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) apprehended a total of 11 individuals, including four key suspects who opened fire with automatic rifles at the 'Crocus City Hall' concert hall in Krasnogorsk, northwest Moscow, causing around 200 casualties.

On the 23rd (local time), after a shooting and arson attack occurred in Russia, a citizen is seen placing flowers at the scene of the incident.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

The investigative committee formed by Russian authorities explained that all four key suspects were captured in the Bryansk region, about 300 km southwest of Moscow. The day before, after the shooting, the terrorists poured flammable liquid and set fire to the concert hall building before fleeing the scene.

Authorities reportedly arrested the key suspects after a car chase involving a Renault passenger car used by the perpetrators. The FSB stated, "The suspects attempted to cross the Russia-Ukraine border by car after the crime" and "They had contact with the Ukrainian side." Bryansk is close to the Ukrainian border.

In the vehicle driven by the suspects, a Makarov pistol, magazines for AKM assault rifles (a modified version of the AK-47), and Tajikistan passports were found. The FSB is conducting investigations to identify additional accomplices.

According to a video released by Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of the Russian state broadcaster RT, one of the arrested suspects, Shamsutdin Faridun (26), testified that he decided to commit the crime after being promised 500,000 rubles by an unidentified "preacher." Although he actually received only about half of that amount, he was repeatedly promised by the instigator that "later, 1 million rubles would be given."

The Russian investigative committee announced that the death toll from the terror attack currently stands at 133. They also indicated that the number of fatalities could rise. Some local media report that more than 143 people have died. It is reported that at least three children are among the deceased.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to all who lost loved ones in a national address that afternoon and declared the 24th a day of national mourning. President Putin stated, "They fled toward the Ukrainian direction, and according to initial information, there was a crossing point on the Ukrainian side," adding, "We will find and punish everyone behind this."

Claims have emerged in Russia that traces of Ukrainian involvement have been found during the terror investigation. The Ukrainian side has denied these allegations. President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the suspicions, saying, "What happened in Moscow is clear," and "Putin and other human scum are trying to shift the blame onto others."

Immediately after the incident, the Islamic extremist armed group Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the terror attack. The Tajikistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it is in contact with Russian authorities regarding suspicions that its nationals may be linked to the attack.

The U.S. government condemned the shooting and arson terror attack in Russia and expressed condolences to the victims' families. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement saying, "The United States strongly condemns the deadly terror attack in Moscow," and "We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this heinous crime."

White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre also released a separate statement, saying, "The United States strongly condemns the heinous terror attack in Moscow," and "We offer our deepest condolences to the families of those killed and to the injured in this senseless attack targeting innocent civilians."