After Moscow alleged that Ukraine was behind the terrorist attack in Moscow, ruler Vladimir Putin made a radical change of course on Monday evening. He blamed “radical Islamists” for the attack.
“We know that the crime was committed by radical Islamists,” Putin said during a televised meeting on Monday. But the shooting fits into a broader campaign of intimidation in Ukraine, Putin added.
At least 137 people died
At least 137 people were killed in the attack on Crocus town hall; the exact number of victims is still unclear because the clean-up work has not yet been completed. Rescue workers do not rule out that there are still bodies among the burned-out rubble.
Seven terror suspects in custody
Meanwhile, other terror suspects have been arrested; seven men are currently in custody, including the four suspected shooters. A total of eleven suspects were arrested after last Friday’s attack. The four alleged main perpetrators appeared in court on Sunday evening.
When the alleged perpetrators were brought before the Basmanny Court in Moscow on Sunday by police and secret service agents, their serious injuries were immediately noticeable. The men had severely swollen faces, cuts and bruises. One suspect had a bandage over his right ear, another had a black eye and a torn plastic bag around his neck.
Allegations of torture? “I leave it unanswered”
Another was unable to walk on his own and reportedly temporarily lost consciousness. Videos circulated on social networks showing the suspected attackers being tortured and one of them even having his ear cut off. According to the court, three of the four suspects have pleaded guilty.
Kremlin spokesman Peskov declined to comment on Monday on the numerous reports of torture by Russian security forces. Peskov simply told a journalist who pointed out the men’s injuries and the torture videos clearly visible in the courtroom: “I leave this question unanswered.” Human rights activists subsequently condemned the alleged torture of the suspects by Russian security forces.
Source: Krone
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