Change of course in Moscow

Putin blames Islamists for attack

At least 137 people died in the attack.(Bild: AP)

After Moscow had claimed in no uncertain terms that Ukraine was behind the terrorist attack in Moscow, ruler Vladimir Putin made a radical change of course on Monday evening. He blamed "radical Islamists" for the attack. 

"We know that the crime was committed by radical Islamists," Putin said at a televised meeting on Monday. But the shooting fits into a broader campaign of intimidation in Ukraine, Putin added.

At least 137 people killed
At least 137 people were killed in the attack at Crocus City Hall; the exact number of victims is still unclear as the clean-up operation has not yet been completed. Rescue workers are not ruling out the possibility that there are still bodies among the burnt-out rubble. 

Shortly after the attack, the jihadist militia Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack and later confirmed this several times. Western security authorities and experts consider the claim to be credible and suspect the IS offshoot Islamic State Province of Khorasan (ISPK) to be behind the attack. Nevertheless, Putin and other Russian representatives claimed without providing any evidence that Ukraine was allegedly involved in the crime. The Ukrainian leadership has strictly denied this. The White House rejected the Russian leadership's statements on Ukraine's alleged involvement as "Kremlin propaganda".

At least 137 people died in the attack.(Bild: AP)

Seven terror suspects in custody
In the meantime, further terror suspects have been arrested and seven men are currently in custody, including the four suspected gunmen. A total of eleven suspects were arrested after the attack last Friday. The four suspected main perpetrators had already appeared before the magistrate on Sunday evening.

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Fotos

When the suspects were brought to the Basmanny Court in Moscow on Sunday by police officers and secret service agents, their serious injuries were immediately apparent. The men had severely swollen faces, lacerations and bruises. One suspect had a bandage over his right ear, another had a black eye and a torn plastic bag around his neck.

Allegations of torture? "I will leave them unanswered"
Another was unable to walk and reportedly lost consciousness in the meantime. Videos circulated on social networks allegedly showing how the suspected attackers were tortured and one of them even had his ear cut off. The court said that three of the four suspects had pleaded guilty.

Kremlin spokesman Peskov did not want to comment on Monday on the numerous reports of torture by Russian security forces. To a journalist who pointed out the men's clearly visible injuries in the courtroom and the torture videos, Peskov merely said: "I will leave this question unanswered." Human rights activists then condemned the alleged torture of the suspects by Russian security forces.