Russia Investigates Involvement Of Western Countries In Terrorist Attacks At Crocus City Hall

UNSPLASH/Klaus Wright ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The Russian Investigative Committee announced the start of an investigation into the involvement of Ukraine, the United States, and Western countries in terrorist attacks.

The investigation was launched at the request of State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, the committee said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app reported by ANTARA from Sputnik, Monday, April 1.

Last week, a number of lawmakers asked the committee and the Russian Attorney General's Office as well as the German, US, Cyprus and French justice authorities to investigate the facts behind the planning of the terrorist attack and its funding.

The statement also said the investigation would carefully check the data sent to them and make decisions regarding it.

On March 22, a number of gunmen broke into the Crocus City Hall and started shooting at people waiting for concert performances. They also set fire to one of the rooms.

The attack claimed 695 victims, including 144 deaths, according to the latest data from the Russian Ministry of Emergency.

Four suspects in the case, all of whom were citizens of Tajikistan, tried to escape in a car but were later arrested and charged with acts of terrorism.

The Russian government believes they will flee to Ukraine, where the mastermind of the attack has prepared a hiding place. The investigation of the case is still ongoing.