Shortly after the attack

Moscow: Arrest warrants for terror suspects

One of the suspects in the Moscow attack

(Bild: AP, Krone KREATIV)

On Sunday evening, a court in Moscow issued the first arrest warrants for suspects involved in the bloody terrorist attack on a concert hall northwest of the Russian capital. Video recordings show that torture was used during the arrest of the suspects. One man's ear was cut off, for example, and another suspect had to be wheeled into the courtroom in a wheelchair - he is missing an eye ... At least two men are said to have already pleaded guilty.

Four Tajiks who lived in Russia have been accused of involvement in a terrorist attack. The suspects are to be remanded in custody for two months by order of the court. Three suspects pleaded guilty.

All suspects had serious injuries in some cases
Russian security forces are unlikely to have been squeamish in their arrest. One of the suspects was brought into court in a wheelchair. He appeared to be missing an eye. Another suspect was wearing a bandage over his right ear, another had a black eye and a torn plastic bag around his neck. The face of a fourth suspect appeared to be swollen and he could barely keep his eyes open. A video of a man having his ear cut off is also circulating on the internet.

Russian media published pictures from the courtroom that are said to show the suspects:

(Bild: AFP, Krone KREATIV)

(Bild: AP, Krone KREATIV)

(Bild: AFP, Krone KREATIV)

(Bild: AP, Krone KREATIV)

The Islamic State terrorist militia claimed responsibility for the crime, but Russian President Vladimir Putin instead sees a "Ukrainian trail" behind the attack - without citing any evidence. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi accused Putin of trying to shift the blame onto Ukraine.

Worst attack in 20 years
Russia commemorated the victims of the worst attack in 20 years with a national day of mourning. Flags flew at half-mast across the country on Sunday. Numerous people laid flowers at the site of the attack, the burnt-out Crocus City Hall on the outskirts of Moscow, where four assailants shot their way through a concert by the Soviet-era rock group Picnic on Friday evening. 

At least 137 people were killed and the number of injured has since risen to 182, according to the latest information from health authorities. A total of eleven suspects were arrested after the attack.

"Will avenge everyone killed"
The masterminds of the attack are to be targeted: "We will avenge every single one (of those killed and injured). And those involved, regardless of their country of origin and status, are now our most important and legitimate target," announced the Deputy Head of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev.