Police in Russia have charged four people with terrorism over an attack at a Moscow concert hall on Friday. Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attack.
More than 130 people were killed and at least 140 others were injured.
It’s the deadliest suspected terrorism attack inside Russia in 20 years.
What happened?
At least four gunmen opened fire and torched the Crocus City Hall just outside Moscow late last week. Videos on social media show the building on fire, and people taking cover inside the hall and the lobby as gunshots ring out.
6,000 people were at the hall to watch Russian rock band ‘Piknik’. The band said one of its staff – who had been selling merchandise in the lobby – was also killed in the attack.
At least 137 people were killed, according to the latest estimates.
Islamic State
At least four gunmen opened fire and torched the Crocus City Hall just outside Moscow late last week. Videos on social media show the building on fire, and people taking cover inside the hall and the lobby as gunshots ring out.
6,000 people were at the hall to watch Russian rock band ‘Piknik’. The band said one of its staff – who had been selling merchandise in the lobby – was also killed in the attack.
At least 137 people were killed, according to the latest estimates.
Russia’s response
Russian officials have not publicly commented on IS taking responsibility.
However, President Vladimir Putin claimed the men were caught fleeing in the direction of Ukraine after they received approval to enter the country.
The attack follows Putin’s sham election victory earlier this month.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied any Ukrainian responsibility for the terrorist attack. In response to the accusations, Zelenskyy accused Putin of trying to “shift the blame to someone else”.
Arrests
Russian police said they detained 11 people linked to the attack, including the four gunmen.
The four have now been charged with terrorism, according to Moscow court system’s Telegram account.
Russia’s interior ministry said all four men were foreign nationals.
U.S. warnings
Earlier this month, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow issued an alert warning all American citizens in Moscow to avoid large events and concerts for at least two days.
The warning was issued about two weeks before the concert hall attack occurred. Intelligence officials have told The New York Times that the warning was related to Friday’s attack.
The embassy has said it’s “horrified” by the attacks, and the White House has condemned IS terrorism.
