Russian court documents reveal terrorist reconnaissance before Crocus City Hall attack

Newly released court documents have shed light on the chilling preparation behind the deadly terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall in the Moscow region, confirming that at least one of the assailants conducted on-site reconnaissance hours before the massacre.

According to TASS, citing judicial materials, Fariduni Sh., one of the key suspects in the March 22, 2024 assault, arrived at the venue by taxi at around 4 p.m.—several hours before the scheduled performance by Russian rock band Piknik. Disguised as a regular attendee, he entered the concert hall and carefully surveyed the premises, focusing on the presence of security personnel and the level of protective equipment available.

Investigators say that after concluding that the planned attack could be successfully carried out, Fariduni Sh. relayed this information to his accomplices—Fayzov M. Z., Rachabalizoda S. M., and Mirzoev D. B. The three joined him at the venue just as the concert was about to begin.

The coordinated assault that followed was one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in recent Russian history. The gunmen opened fire on concertgoers and set the hall ablaze. The carnage left 145 people dead and over 500 injured.

The attackers attempted to flee but were intercepted and detained near the Ukrainian border. The Islamic State terrorist organisation later claimed responsibility for the atrocity.

By Vugar Khalilov