Russian justice links Vilayet Khorasan group to Moscow concert hall attack – Executive Digest

Those responsible for the March 22 terror attack at the Crocus City Hall concert hall in Moscow, which killed 145 people and injured 550 others, belonged to the militant group Wilayat Khorasan, part of the Islamic State group, a judicial inquiry has heard.

The movement operates in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan and those responsible for the attacks are hiding outside the country, leading Russian authorities to issue several international requests for legal assistance, according to Russian media.

“The investigation of this case is particularly difficult due to, among other things, the international nature of the crime and the location of the organizers and accomplices outside the Russian Federation,” those in charge of the case said.

Some of the inmates were preparing for another terrorist attack using home-made weapons and ammunition.

The attack took place on March 22 at the Crocus City Hall, a Moscow concert hall, when a group of armed men opened fire on the audience and set the building on fire.

The terrorists, who stayed at the concert hall for 18 minutes, fled the scene in a car and were arrested by authorities in the Bryansk region the next day.

Prisoners Shakromzon Kadov, Mustakim Soliev, Umetzon Soliev and Zubaytullo Ismailov – who accused each other during their testimonies – are charged with participating in a terrorist group and making explosives.

Authorities believe the defendants, along with their accomplices, also have the ability to coordinate threats against witnesses and “other accomplices who have provided incriminating evidence against them.”

Many of those responsible for the attack – Thalerjon Mirzov, Murodali Rachapalisot, Shamsedin Fariduni and Muhammeduzobir Faizov – are citizens of Tajikistan and are accused of being trained in terrorist activities and illegal arms trafficking.

Isroil Islamov, along with his sons Aminzon and Dilovar, are accused of supporting terrorists.