Press
Almost two months after a devastating attack in Moscow, the culprits have been identified. The Kremlin blames an IS offshoot – but Ukraine is said to have been involved nonetheless.
Moscow – Russia has blamed the jihadist militia Islamic State (IS) for the attack on the Crocus City Hall in Moscow. On the evening of March 22, attackers murdered more than 140 people in the concert hall. Initially, the government around Russia’s President Wladimir Putin Ukraine was accused of being responsible for the attack. Although the Kremlin is now moving away from this assumption, it is still certain that Kiev was involved.
In connection with the attack, the Russian domestic intelligence service (FSB) has arrested more than 20 people, according to the Russian news agency Ria Novosti reported. “We are currently investigating the entire circle of those involved in the crime. More than 20 people have already been arrested, including the direct perpetrators and accomplices,” said Alexander Bortnikov, head of the FSB, at a meeting of the security authorities in Bishkek, Russia.
For half a million rubles – IS terrorists allegedly carried out attack on Moscow
One of the arrested persons is said to have stated that he had been offered half a million rubles (about 5,100 euros) for the attack, reported Ria NovostiIt was also discovered that four of the suspects had entered Russia from Turkey.
The investigations are said to have shown that the perpetrators were hired by the Khorasan Province group, an IS offshoot from Afghanistan. This group planned, financed and prepared the attacks, said Bortnikov. In addition, an escape route for the retreat was planned – according to the FSB, this led directly to Ukraine.
Ukraine allegedly kept “windows” open for terrorists – Kiev denies
“At the end of the attack, the terrorists received a clear order to move to the Ukrainian border, where a window had been prepared on that side,” quoted Ria Novosti the intelligence chief. It is now certain that the Ukrainian military intelligence service is “directly connected” with the attack in Moscow, claims Bortnikov. Russia has been conducting a War of aggression against the neighboring country.
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected the accusations from Moscow“After what happened in Moscow yesterday, Putin and the other bastards are of course just trying to shift the blame onto someone else,” said Zelensky in his daily video address after the terrorist attack. Putin did not care about his citizens the day after the attack, but was only thinking about how he could “bring the attack to Ukraine.”
IS itself is said to have already confessed to the attack several timesas the AFP reported. The terrorist organization released a video after the attack that is said to have been shot by one of the attackers. Amnesty International announced this on its website. It is said to show one of the attackers killing people in the town hall with a machine gun and a knife. (nhi)
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