In a significant development following the devastating attack on Moscow’s Crocus City Hall last month, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has disclosed the arrest of four individuals believed to be connected to the thwarted “terror” plot. The attack, which occurred on March 22nd, resulted in the tragic loss of over 140 lives, marking one of the deadliest acts of violence in Russia in two decades.
The FSB revealed in a statement on Monday that the arrests were made in the southern Dagestan region, with the apprehended group accused of direct involvement in financing and supplying terrorist means to the perpetrators of the Crocus City Hall attack.
The National Anti-terrorism Committee had previously announced the detention of three individuals suspected of planning a series of terrorist crimes. The subsequent statement by the FSB elaborated that four foreign nationals were arrested in operations conducted in Makhachkala, the regional capital, and the nearby town of Kaspiysk.
According to reports from Interfax news agency, one of the detained individuals confessed in an FSB video, admitting, “I took weapons to them, these guys who attacked Crocus City Hall. I took them weapons from Makhachkala.”
Earlier, Russian authorities had identified 12 individuals linked to the attack, including the suspected gunmen, all of whom were Tajik citizens. The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the massacre, a claim refuted by both Kyiv and Western countries, who accused Moscow of exploiting the tragedy.
The arrests underscore ongoing security concerns in Russia, particularly in light of criticism leveled at the FSB’s response to the attack. Despite prior warnings from the US intelligence community regarding potential extremist threats in Moscow, the attack was carried out without interruption.
The FSB, known for its announcements regarding foiled terrorist cells, has recently focused on detaining individuals labeled as pro-Ukrainian saboteurs.
President Vladimir Putin has condemned the attack as a barbaric act of terrorism and pledged retribution against those responsible. Following the tragedy, he declared a national day of mourning and announced heightened security measures across Russia.
