Trial begins for suspects in Moscow concert hall attack that killed 149 people

The Herald Scotland

2 days ago

President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials have claimed, without presenting evidence, that Ukraine had a role in the attack.
Kyiv has strongly denied any involvement.
Suspects accused of involvement in a terror attack in the Crocus City Hall (Pavel Bednyakov/AP)
The Investigative Committee, Russia's top criminal investigation agency, said in June that it concluded that the attack had been 'planned and carried out in the interests of the current leadership of Ukraine in order to destabilise political situation in our country'.
It also noted the four suspected gunmen tried to flee to Ukraine afterwards.
The four, all identified as citizens of Tajikistan, were arrested hours after the attack and later appeared in a Moscow court with signs of being severely beaten.
The committee said earlier this year that six other suspects were charged in absentia and placed on Russia's wanted list for allegedly recruiting and organising the training of the four.
Other defendants in the trial were accused of helping them.