Putin: “The attack near Moscow perpetrated by radical Islamists”

Hibapress

The deadly attack on a performance hall near Moscow was perpetrated by “radical Islamists”, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Monday during a meeting devoted to measures taken following the attack which left at least 139 dead, according to the latest toll announced by the Russian Investigative Committee.

“We know that the crime was committed by radical Islamists, an ideology that the Muslim world has been trying to combat for centuries,” he said, during this videoconference meeting in which members of the government took part. , senior officials of the regions and representatives of special services and law enforcement agencies.

“We know who committed this atrocity against Russia and its people. Now we want to know the sponsors,” Mr. Putin underlined, noting that many questions need to be clarified regarding the attack in the Crocus City Hall concert hall in Krasnogorsk, a town located about twenty kilometers to the northwest. of the capital.

Those who planned this terrorist attack hoped to “sow panic and discord in our society, but they were met with unity and determination to resist this evil,” the Russian president noted, adding that “the work of our services and our law enforcement agencies must allow us to obtain answers to a whole series of questions.”

Several international agencies announced Friday evening that the “Islamic State” (IS) group claimed responsibility for the attack, citing posts by the terrorist group on social networks.

At least seven individuals, the four alleged perpetrators and three suspects linked to the attack, were placed in pre-trial detention after their appearance in a court in the capital on Sunday and Monday.

The pre-trial detention of the seven individuals has been set until May 22 and may be extended pending their trial, the date of which has not yet been set. Accused of “terrorism”, the seven individuals face life imprisonment.