A suspect named Dzhumokhon Kurbonov from Tajikistan has been detained as an accomplice in the tragic attack on a suburban Moscow concert hall that resulted in the death of 144 individuals. The court has ruled to keep Kurbonov in custody until May 22 to conduct further investigation and proceed with the trial. The detainment of Kurbonov was initiated after he was reportedly held for a 15-day administrative charge of petty hooliganism, a commonly practiced method by Russian security forces to detain individuals while preparing a criminal case against them.
The attack, carried out by four gunmen, involved indiscriminate firing into the crowd at the Crocus City Hall concert venue, as previously reported by CBS News. Witness accounts described the chaos that ensued as people panicked, ran for safety, and some tragically fell and were trampled on during the incident. In addition to the gunfire, the attackers set the concert hall on fire, leading to a partial collapse of the building's roof. Following the attack, twelve individuals, including the four gunmen, were arrested for their involvement in the case and appeared in court facing terrorism charges.
Despite a faction of the Islamic State group claiming responsibility for the massacre, Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have alleged, without evidence, that Ukraine and the West played a role in the attack. Ukraine has denied these accusations, stating that Moscow is using them as a pretext to escalate fighting in Ukraine. This situation has raised tensions and suspicions between the two countries, with conflicting narratives emerging about the tragic incident and its perpetrators.