Only one of the four main suspects accused in the deadly terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall has expressed remorse for his actions, according to case materials reviewed by TASS.
Faridoun Shamsiddin, a 26-year-old citizen of Tajikistan, fully confessed to his role in the March 22, 2024 attack and stated that he regrets what he did. Investigators say Shamsiddin visited the concert venue multiple times in the days leading up to the attack and was even photographed next to a poster advertising the band "Piknik," which was performing the night of the tragedy.
ИЗОБРАЖЕНИЕ Faridoun Shamsiddin
The other three key suspects — Muhammadsobir Faizov, Saidakram Rajabalizoda, and Dalerjon Mirzoyev — also confessed but showed no signs of remorse, according to investigators.
The terror attack, which remains one of the deadliest in Russia in recent years, claimed the lives of 149 people and injured over 600. One person is still reported missing.
Russian prosecutors have received the case file, which will soon be forwarded to a court. In total, 19 individuals are named in the indictment. All suspects, including the four direct perpetrators, have been placed on Russia's official list of terrorists.
The Moscow City Court had previously extended the pre-trial detention of Shamsiddin, Faizov, Rajabalizoda, and Mirzoyev by an additional 3 months and 28 days. They are believed to be the primary executors of the attack.
Russia's Investigative Committee has asserted that the attack was organized in the interests of the "Kyiv regime," a claim not independently verified.
Investigations continue into two alleged organizers and four other members of the terrorist network behind the attack.
The Crocus assault had reportedly been in preparation for several months, and some suspects entered Russia from abroad after undergoing special training. The specific countries where this training occurred were not disclosed.
The Islamic State (IS) terror group claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement through the IS-affiliated Amaq news agency shortly after the attack, with its regional branch in the Afghanistan–Pakistan border region, the Islamic State – Khorasan Province, most likely being responsible. Amaq also published a video filmed by one of the attackers. It showed the attackers shooting victims and slitting the throat of a victim, while the filming attacker was reciting the takbir, praising God and speaking against infidels.
Russia's Foreign Ministry called the incident a terrorist attack. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared March 24, 2024 to be a national day of mourning, and sought to link assailants to Ukraine. It was the deadliest terrorist attack on Russian soil since the Beslan school siege in 2004.
