AFP Moscow
Moscow
Updated Monday, March 25, 2024-20:17
Russia The four arrested for the attack in Moscow enter prison accused of terrorism and with signs of torture
Russian President
Vladimir Putin
said Monday that the attack on a concert hall near
Moscow
claimed by the
Islamic State
group was carried out by "radical Islamists" who he said then tried to flee to
Ukraine.
"We know that this crime was committed by radical Islamists with an ideology that the Islamic world has been fighting for centuries," he said at a government meeting broadcast on television.
"We know who committed this atrocity against Russia and its people. What interests us is the sponsor," he added.
The Russian leader again stated that the attackers, after the attack on Friday night in which at least 137 people died, tried to flee to Ukrainian territory.
"It is important to answer the question why the terrorists, after their crime, tried to leave for Ukraine? Who was waiting for them there? Those who support the Kiev regime do not want to be complicit in terror and supporters of terrorism, but they arise many questions," he said.
This weekend, Putin and his security services (FSB) did not mention jihadist involvement and spoke of the connection with Ukraine.
The kyiv government and Western countries have repeatedly denied any Ukrainian involvement in the attack.
However, on Monday night, Putin again hinted that it might have something to do with kyiv.
"We immediately asked ourselves, who benefits from this? This atrocity may be a new link with those who, since 2014, have been fighting against our country through the neo-Nazi regime in kyiv," he said.
"And the Nazis, it is well known, have never shied away from using the dirtiest and most inhumane methods to achieve their objectives," he said.