After terrorist attack in Russia, Europe advised to be on high alert

Amid the shocking aftermath of the deadly terrorist attack near Russia's capital Moscow over the weekend, European countries need to remain vigilant, UK Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt said when speaking to local media on March 24.

On the same day, March 24, two days after the attack at the Crocus City Hall complex on the outskirts of the capital, which killed at least 137 people, Russian authorities released footage of blindfolded terrorist suspects being taken to the headquarters of the country's Investigative Committee in Moscow.

Four suspected gunmen involved in the terror attack, including Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, Saidakrami Murodali Rachabalizoda, Shamsidin Fariduni and Muhammadsobir Fayzov, were also seen appearing in court with bruised and swollen faces.

Rachabalizoda's ear was bandaged after it was reportedly partially cut off during his arrest. Fayzov appeared in a wheelchair and appeared to be missing an eye, according to Reuters.

Three of the four, except Fayzov, admitted guilt after being charged. All will be held in custody until at least May before being tried.

Russian state media reported the arrest and questioning of suspects after a police chase, during which an affiliate of the extremist group ISIS claimed responsibility in three different videos and messages since late on March 22 after the horrific tragedy, including posting images of four terrorists, as well as a graphic video of the gunmen entering the lobby of Crocus City Hall and opening fire on innocent civilians.

World - After terrorist attack in Russia, Europe advised to be on high alert — Authorities at the scene outside Crocus City Hall, Moscow region, March 23, 2024. Photo: NY Times

World - After the terrorist attack in Russia, Europe is advised to be on high alert (Figure 2). — Damage from the fire at Crocus City Hall is seen on the morning of March 23, 2024. Photo: NY Times

Professor Anthony Glees, a terrorism expert at the University of Buckingham (UK), said that “the success of the attack from the IS-K perspective” makes this type of terrorism “more likely to be imitated”.

Describing the civilian deaths as a “tragedy”, UK finance minister Jeremy Hunt said the jihadist group retained the capacity to carry out major atrocities following the incident in Russia. However, Mr Hunt condemned Russia when the Kremlin linked the incident to Ukraine.

Addressing the nation on March 23, after the country's deadliest attack in two decades, Russian President Vladimir Putin said a total of 11 people had been detained and he vowed that whoever ordered the attack on Crocus City Hall would be punished.

While the Russian government has not commented on the IS claim, Putin said the perpetrators were caught as they were trying to flee to Ukraine. “Based on preliminary information, the opportunity to cross the border was prepared for them by the Ukrainian side,” the Russian leader said.

Ukraine was quick to dismiss Russia’s claims as “absurd.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly video address on March 23 that the Russian president was trying to shift blame for the concert hall massacre.

The US also declared Ukraine innocent. US Vice President Kamala Harris said in an interview with ABC on March 23: “What we know is that ISIS-K is indeed responsible for what happened.”

The Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K) branch, named after a region that includes parts of Iran, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, has a reputation for brutality, including claiming responsibility for a suicide bombing at the Russian Embassy in Kabul in 2022.

World - After the terrorist attack in Russia, Europe is advised to be on high alert (Figure 3). — People carry flowers at a makeshift memorial for victims of the terrorist attack in Moscow on March 23, 2024. Photo: NY Times

World - After the terrorist attack in Russia, Europe is advised to be on high alert (Figure 4). — The site of a terrorist attack in the Moscow region, Russia, on March 22, 2024. Graphic: The Guardian

In Paris, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal raised the country's terror alert to its highest level on March 24. Earlier, French President Emanuel Macron held an emergency security meeting. The Moscow shooting occurred just three months before Paris hosts the Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, families and friends of those still missing after the Moscow attack are still waiting for news of their loved ones as Russia holds a national day of mourning on March 24. Other cultural events have been canceled, flags have been flown at half-mast and entertainment and television advertising have been suspended, according to state news agency RIA Novosti.

A huge pile of flowers was piled at a makeshift memorial near Crocus City Hall. As rescuers continued to search the damaged building and the death toll rose as more bodies were found, some families still did not know whether loved ones who attended the event targeted by gunmen were still alive.

Health officials in Moscow said they have begun identifying the bodies of those killed through DNA testing and expect it to take at least two weeks to complete .

Minh Duc (According to The Independent, 9News, Reuters)

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