Details of the terrorist attack in Moscow's "Crocus" two years ago became known
On March 12, a verdict was handed down in the case of the terrorist act at Moscow's "Crocus City Hall" concert venue in March 2024: fifteen defendants, including four direct perpetrators of the attack, received life sentences. They will spend the first 16-18 years in prison, after which they will be transferred to special regime colonies. Their four accomplices were sentenced to terms ranging from 19 to 22 years. The Russian publication "Kommersant" reported details of the high-profile case that emerged during the trial.
During the court process. Photo: Anton Novoderozhkin / Kommersant
The investigation of the criminal case regarding the terrorist attack at "Crocus City Hall" revealed an extensive preparation network that began as early as 2023. The leaders of the groups "Islamic State" and "Wilayat Khorasan" acted as organizers, creating at least three terrorist cells in Russia. Recruitment was carried out via Telegram, where future perpetrators pledged allegiance to the terrorists.
One of the key defendants was Shamsiddin Fariduni, who had a previous conviction in Tajikistan. A psychiatric examination found him sane but noted his morbid ambition and malevolence. Together with his associates, he underwent special training in Turkey, and one of the participants even traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan for combat skills training.
Weapons for the attack were prepared in Russia: five blank-firing assault rifles were converted into combat weapons under artisanal conditions in Ingushetia, and over 1800 cartridges were brought from there. A Makarov pistol was delivered from Yekaterinburg.
Initially, the terrorists planned an attack in Dagestan, but that cell was timely uncovered by the FSB, so they focused on Moscow. "Crocus" was chosen due to its proximity to the terrorists' temporary residence in Putilkovo, near Moscow.
Fariduni had previously attended a concert by Italian opera singer Alessandro Safina to study security, hall layout, and emergency exits. On the day of the attack, he even had a dispute with a ticket reseller because he lacked cash and had to look for an ATM while his accomplices waited in the car, using drugs.
The direct assault began around eight in the evening on March 22. The terrorists acted with extreme cruelty, shooting people at close range. However, the investigation revealed that there could have been significantly more victims if not for technical failures: two attackers' assault rifles jammed, and ammunition in their backpacks started running out after just ten minutes. That's why they resorted to arson, using pre-prepared gasoline in bottles. The fire cut off people from the exits, leading to the death of most of the 147 victims from suffocation and burns.
The entire operation took only 13 minutes, after which the terrorists fled, hitting a family with children on their way. They were apprehended in the Bryansk region after a chase and shootout.
In court, 15 people received life sentences. Among them were not only the killers but also those who assisted with money, housing, and transport. The verdict sparked outrage among the victims, who consider it too lenient due to the theoretical possibility of parole in the future. Lawyers for the victims even proposed suspending the moratorium on the death penalty for such cases.
In parallel, the Investigative Committee of Russia continues to investigate the actions of the "Crocus" management, whose security system and fire protection failed to prevent such a high number of casualties.