Faridoun Shamsiddin, Muhammadsobir Fayzov, Dalerjon Mirzoyev, and Saidakram Rajabalizoda have been sentenced to life in prison for their involvement in the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall on March 22, 2024.
The Moscow Second Western District Military Court issued verdicts against the defendants involved in the attack on the venue.
The terrorist attack occurred in the Crocus City Hall on March 22, 2024. It resulted in the deaths of 149 people and left more than 550 injured. The four attackers—Tajik nationals Muhammadsobir Faizov, Dalerjon Mirzoyev, Saidakram Rajabalizoda, and Faridoun Shamsiddin—attempted to flee but were apprehended in Bryansk region and brought to Moscow.
In addition to the direct perpetrators, 11 accomplices, including Umedjon Soliyev, Mustaqim Soliyev, Shahromjon Gadoyev, Zubaydullo Ismoilov, Hussein Homidov, Muhammad Sharifzoda, Yaqubjoni Yusufzoda, Nazrimad Lutfulloi, Jumakhon Qurbonov, Hussein Medov, and Jabrayil Aushev, were also sentenced to life. Fines ranging from 800,000 to 2.7 million rubles were imposed on the accomplices.
Four others received sentences ranging from 19 to 22 years.
The court confirmed the involvement of the four primary attackers — Dalerjon Mirzoyev, Saidakram Rajabalizoda, Faridoun Shamsiddin, and Muhammadsobir Fayzov — with the terrorist group "Islamic State – Khorasan Province." The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, labeling it an "act of retribution" against the "infidels."
Closed trial
The trial proceedings were closed to the public. While more than 100 journalists attended the initial hearings, prosecutors requested to shut down the public process, citing threats of "demonstrative terror acts" planned by the defendants' accomplices.
As a result, the public was unable to hear testimonies, see evidence, or access court documents during the six-month trial, and only comments from the victims' lawyers and official statements from the investigation were reported.
Who admitted guilt?
The trial began on August 4, 2025, and on the first day, three of the four accused perpetrators — Fayzov, Mirzoyev, and Shamsiddin — fully confessed to their guilt, expressed regret, and apologized to the victims. The fourth attacker, Rajabalizoda, refused to recognize himself as a terrorist.
Isroil Islomov and his sons, along with Zubaydullo Ismoilov, who was previously convicted in Tajikistan for calls to violent regime change, denied any involvement in aiding the attackers. Other defendants partially admitted their guilt but denied involvement in terrorism-related activities.
Who were the accomplices?
The investigation presented the remaining 15 defendants as accomplices. Two individuals, Hussein Medov and Jabrayil Aushev from Ingushetia, allegedly converted deactivated firearms into working weapons, which were then used in the Crocus attack.
Five other defendants — Shahromjon Gadoyev, Zubaydullo Ismoilov, Hussein Homidov, and brothers Umedjon and Mustaqim Soliyev — delivered weapons and ammunition to the attackers. Four individuals — Yaqubjon Yusufzoda, Nazrimad Lutfulloi, Jumakhon Qurbonov, and Muhammad Sharifzoda — transferred funds for the attack's preparation.
Alisher Qasimov rented housing to the main accused, and the Islomov family (Dilovar, his brother Aminjon, and their father Isroil) sold them the Renault car used in the escape attempt. Some accomplices partially confessed to their involvement. Qasimov received a jail term of 22½ years, while the Islomov family members were sentenced to 19 years and 11 months each.
Interestingly, Qasimov and the Islomov family voluntarily turned themselves in to the police days before the attack, yet were later accused of aiding the terrorists. Before the verdict, all accused were already listed as terrorists.
