The Basmanny District Court in Moscow has formally charged Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, 32; Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, 30; Mukhammadsobir Faizov, 19; and Shamsidin Fariduni, 25, with committing a group terrorist attack resulting in fatalities, carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The court has ordered the pre-trial detention of all four men, citizens of Tajikistan, until May 22.
Mirzoyev, Rachabalizoda, and Shamsidin Fariduni admitted guilt upon being charged. Faizov, the fourth suspect, appeared in court from a hospital in a wheelchair, remaining with closed eyes throughout the proceedings. He was attended by medical personnel, wearing a hospital gown and trousers, displaying multiple cuts.
Rachabalizoda was observed with a heavily bandaged ear, with Russian media reporting that one suspect had their ear severed during interrogation. The authenticity of the report and accompanying videos purportedly showing this remains unverified by The Associated Press.
The court session coincided with Russia’s national day of mourning, following the devastating attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue in the suburbs, claiming the lives of at least 137 individuals.
Attributed to an Islamic State group affiliate, the attack marks one of the deadliest incidents on Russian soil in recent memory.
Russian authorities apprehended the four suspected attackers on Saturday, with seven additional individuals detained on suspicion of involvement, as announced by President Vladimir Putin in a national address. Putin claimed their capture occurred while attempting to flee to Ukraine, a contention firmly refuted by Kyiv.
