Four men accused of carrying out the deadly attack on the Russia concert hall, claiming the lives of over 130 people, appeared in a Moscow court on Sunday, displaying visible signs of severe beatings as they confronted formal terrorism charges. One of the accused seemed barely conscious during the proceedings.
According to a court statement, two of the suspects admitted their involvement in the assault after being charged in the preliminary hearing. However, some questions arose regarding the men's ability to freely speak due to their physical condition.
Earlier conflicting reports from Russian media outlets suggested that three or all four suspects had confessed to their roles.
The Basmanny District Court in Moscow officially charged Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, 32; Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, 30; Shamsidin Fariduni, 25; and Mukhammadsobir Faizov, 19, with carrying out a group terrorist attack resulting in fatalities, an offence punishable by life imprisonment.
The court ordered the pre-trial detention of the suspects, all citizens of Tajikistan, until May 22.
Reports from Russian media alleged that the suspects underwent torture during interrogation by security services. Mirzoyev, Rachabalizoda, and Fariduni exhibited signs of severe bruising, including swollen faces. Rachabalizoda was seen with a heavily bandaged ear, with claims surfacing that one of the suspects had his ear severed during interrogation. Verification of these claims by The Associated Press remains unconfirmed.
The fourth suspect, Faizov, was wheeled into court from a hospital, appearing with closed eyes throughout the proceedings. He wore a hospital gown and trousers and displayed multiple cuts. Medical personnel attended to him during the hearing.
Mirzoyev and Rachabalizoda purportedly confessed to their roles after being formally charged, coinciding with a national day of mourning in Russia following the attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue in the suburban area that claimed the lives of at least 137 people.
As the investigation continues, families of the victims anxiously await news while rescuers persist in searching the damaged premises. The Moscow Department of Health has initiated the process of identifying the deceased through DNA testing, estimating a minimum duration of two weeks.
The attack, claimed by an ISIS affiliate, marks the deadliest incident on Russian soil in recent years. Russian President Vladimir Putin, addressing the nation, asserted that the perpetrators were captured while attempting to flee to Ukraine, alleging Ukrainian involvement in the incident, a claim that was denied by the Ukrainian government.
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