Attack near Moscow

IS confirms arrest of fighters in Russia

On Friday, the Islamic State (IS) confirmed the arrest of four members in Russia who are believed to be responsible for the attack near Moscow. "Four fighters who are soldiers of the caliphate" attacked Crocus City Hall on March 22, it said in a statement.

The caliphate is the rule, office or empire of a caliph, i.e. a "successor" or "representative" of God. Three of the IS members are said to have used machine guns, while the fourth was ordered to start the fire. This was followed by a chase by the Russian forces on the ground and from the air. The men were "surrounded" in a forest, according to the post, which was published on Telegram. 

Further arrests in Tajikistan
Meanwhile, nine people have been arrested in Tajikistan in connection with the attack. They are said to have links to the suspects and to an offshoot of the jihadist militia IS. Following the attack on Friday last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rakhmon agreed to cooperate more closely in the fight against terrorism during a telephone conversation. Rachmon said that terror has no nationality or religion. Tajikistan is considered a safe haven for Islamist terrorists. According to Russian media, the suspected gunmen were also carrying Tajik passports.

Eight people are now in custody and a further eleven arrests and arrest warrants have reportedly been issued. The Kremlin is accused of torturing four of the suspects. They showed severe facial injuries in court.

More than 144 dead, 382 injured
As reported, at least 144 people were killed and a further 382 injured in the attack on the event hall in the Moscow suburb of Krasnogorsk. It was the worst attack in Russia in the past 20 years. Although IS claimed responsibility immediately after the attack, the Russian authorities and services continued to spread the version that the attackers had links to Ukraine. The Ukrainian government rejects this.

Western experts consider the terrorist militia's claim to be credible (see video above). The letter of confession stated that the attack near Moscow was part of the war with the "countries fighting Islam."