Four men accused of gunning down scores of people at a concert outside the Russian capital, Moscow, have been charged with terrorism after appearing in a courtroom showing signs of severe beating.
The charges late on Sunday came as Russia lowered flags to half-mast for a day of mourning over the deadliest attack inside the country for two decades.
At least 137 people, including three children, were killed in the ISIL (ISIS) claimed attack. Another 182 people were wounded and health officials say some 40 of them were in “critical” or “extremely critical” condition.
Moscow’s Basmanny District Court identified the four suspects behind the attack as Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, 32; Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, 30; Shamsidin Fariduni, 25; and Mukhammadsobir Faizov, 19.
At court, Mirzoyev, Rachabalizoda and Fariduni showed signs of heavy bruising, including swollen faces, while Faizov was brought to court from a hospital in a wheelchair and sat with his eyes closed throughout the proceedings. He was attended by medics while in court, where he wore a hospital gown and trousers and was seen with multiple cuts.
Rachabalizoda also had a heavily bandaged ear.
Russian media said on Saturday that one of the suspects had his ear cut off during interrogation.
Photos below:
Second suspected terror attacker to remain in custody until May 22. He has admitted guilt as charged.
He is potentially facing life in prison, at the Russian toughest jail, Black Dolphin Jail in Siberia. pic.twitter.com/5Jf1AN4lg1— Amwoga Khalwale (@amwogakhalwale) March 24, 2024
One of the apprehended terrorists responsible for the attack in Moscow had to be wheeled into court with a wheelchair. He was fine when they caught him. pic.twitter.com/5fQ7FPhaO6
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) March 24, 2024
President Vladimir Putin, who has pledged to punish those behind the “barbaric terrorist attack”, said the four men had been arrested while trying to flee to Ukraine. Kyiv has strongly denied any connection to the attack.
Putin has made no public reference to ISIL’s claims of responsibility.
He said seven others have also been taken into custody.
Two have pleaded guilt.
In the meantime the mainstream media in our country decided to talk about the inhuman treatment of the terrorists and it seems they have picked the wrong side!
