Russia reveals foreign intelligence behind Crocus City Hall terror attack

Spokesperson for the Russian Investigative Committee Svetlana Petrenko has said that the terrorist attack at "Crocus City Hall" was planned and organised by the intelligence services of a hostile country with direct involvement of six citizens of Central Asia.

“The purpose was to destabilise the situation in Russia,” she said, Caliber.Az reports.

Petrenko noted that the attack, which took place a year ago at Crocus City Hall, was orchestrated by the intelligence agencies of a hostile country as part of efforts to destabilise the situation in Russia.

"Members of an international terrorist organisation were involved in carrying out the attack. The direct planning and execution of the attack were carried out by six citizens of Central Asia, some of whom are operating under aliases. They are currently abroad, and as a result, they have been arrested in absentia and placed on the wanted list," she stated. 

According to the investigation, these individuals recruited the alleged perpetrators of the attack — Tajik citizens Dalerjon Mirzoyev, Saidakram Rajabalizoda, Faridun Shamsiddin, and Muhammadsobir Fayzov — and arranged their training abroad. All four have been detained and arrested. Additionally, several individuals accused of being accomplices in the terrorist attack are also in custody. These individuals allegedly assisted the suspected perpetrators by assisting them secure housing, providing transportation, weapons, or financing their terrorist activity. 

"At this stage, investigative actions have been completed with 19 individuals accused of terrorist-related crimes, who are in custody and are continuing to consider the case materials. A number of other individuals have been declared wanted," added Petrenko.

On March 22, 2024, four terrorists attacked concertgoers at a Piknik band performance, opening fire before setting the venue on fire. The attack resulted in 145 fatalities and more than 550 injuries.

Emin Agalarov, president of Agalarov Development and the son of Araz Agalarov, owner of the Crocus Group, estimated the financial losses to the company at $150–200 million.

The investigation is still ongoing, with additional suspects now placed on international watchlists.

By Naila Huseynova