In a recent address to the nation, President Vladimir Putin publicly recognized that “radical Islamists” were responsible for the horrific concert hall attack near Moscow, marking a departure from earlier rhetoric that implicated Ukraine. The televised meeting disclosed Putin’s evolving stance, as he affirmed, “We know that the crime was committed by the hands of radical Islamists, whose ideology the Islamic world itself has been fighting for centuries.” This acknowledgment came amidst growing international scrutiny and evidence pointing towards extremist involvement in the tragic event that claimed at least 139 lives.
The Crocus City Hall, which was hosting a rock concert attended by over 5,000 people, became the stage for this gruesome attack. Camouflaged gunmen stormed the venue, unleashing gunfire and igniting a blaze that led to a combination of fatalities from both gunshot wounds and smoke inhalation. Putin’s admission aligns with statements from Islamic State jihadists who have repeatedly asserted their responsibility for the attack since Friday, corroborated by IS-affiliated media channels publishing graphic footage from the incident.
Nevertheless, Putin’s remarks were accompanied by pointed questions aimed at Ukraine. “This atrocity may be just a link in a whole series of attempts by those who have been at war with our country since 2014,” he speculated, referring to the ongoing tensions and conflict with Ukraine. His query, “why after committing the crime the terrorists tried to go to Ukraine? Who was waiting for them there?” reflects a sustained narrative implicating Ukrainian connections despite Kyiv’s staunch denial of any involvement.
The remarks from the Russian president suggest an attempt to navigate a complex narrative that assigns blame to radical Islamists while simultaneously casting suspicions toward Ukraine. This duality was underscored by the Kremlin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who confirmed that an investigation is ongoing without delving into the Islamic State’s claims. Meanwhile, Putin emphasized the importance of a professional and unbiased probe, instructing security forces to “identify all those involved in the terrorist act,” including its “orderers.”
The aftermath of the attack has brought to light disturbing scenes from the judicial proceedings against the suspects. In late-night hearings, images and reports surfaced of the detained individuals displaying signs of physical abuse, casting shadows on the integrity of Russia’s legal process. Despite the Kremlin’s silence on the allegations of torture, the suspects, identified as citizens of Tajikistan, two of whom pled guilty, face charges of terrorism with the possibility of life imprisonment.
International leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and US officials have backed the attribution of the attack to Islamic State, with France stating that intelligence pointed directly to the group’s involvement. Moreover, the United States, which had issued prior warnings of an “imminent” attack in Moscow by “extremists,” pointed to IS bearing “sole responsibility.”
As Russia mourns the lives lost, the attack has renewed the debate on the death penalty and the country’s security apparatus’s ability to preempt such threats. Putin, amid national grief, has called for a measured and professional investigation, even as the specter of the death penalty lingers in the background of Russian political discourse.
Relevant articles:
– ‘Radical Islamists’ committed Moscow attack – Putin
– Moscow attack latest: Putin admits concert shooting was by radical Islamists after initially blaming Ukraine, Yahoo! Voices, Mon, 25 Mar 2024 19:05:13 GMT
– Putin says radical Islamists carried out Moscow concert hall attack but doubles down on blaming Ukraine – as it happened, The Guardian, Mon, 25 Mar 2024 18:09:34 GMT
– Putin blames ‘Islamists’ for Moscow attack but links them to Ukraine, Le Monde, Mon, 25 Mar 2024 19:35:13 GMT