Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded to identify the perpetrators of the terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall and all links and chains of beneficiaries of the tragedy, Russian media reported.
Vladimir Putin said at a meeting of the board of the Russian Interior Ministry:
“It is important for us to establish not only the direct perpetrators, but also all the links, chains, the ultimate criminal beneficiaries of this atrocity. We will certainly get them. And here is what I would like to say in this regard: those who use this weapon, and this weapon is being used against Russia, it is obvious today, must realise that it is double-edged. The commissioning of crimes for money – they are not isolated. Also in this professional environment we can say, and you know it well: there is no reliable agency in this environment. They do anything for money: they are not guided by any religious or political considerations, but only by financial ones. Everything is also easy to sell: any information is both bought and sold, so we will certainly get to the final customers.”
According to Putin, those who ordered the terrorist attack in Crocus wanted to split Russia by provoking discord, and the incident must not be used to provoke national and other strife in the country.
The President said that Russia had paid an “extremely high price”, so investigators should take the Crocus terrorist attack with all responsibility. He also added:
“All analyses of the situation must be extremely objective and professional. This is important, first of all, in order to bring to a new level the maintenance of law and order and security in places of mass stay of people, at sports facilities, transport, shopping and entertainment centres, schools, hospitals, universities, theatres and so on. All these facilities must be under constant control. And the key role in solving this problem should be played, among others, by the internal affairs bodies.”
The terrorist attack at Crocus occurred on 22 March, when armed men opened fire before a concert of a rock band. 144 people were killed and 551 were injured.
The terrorist group Islamic State claimed responsibility. The FSB claimed the involvement of Ukrainian special services in the attack.
Twelve suspects were detained in the case, ten of them were arrested, including four direct participants of the attack – Tajik citizens Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, Shamsidin Fariduni, Muhammadsobir Fayzov.
