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Belarusian ruler Lukashenko
Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko / dpa
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko boasts about his country's alleged role in catching the suspected Moscow attackers. As Lukashenko explained, the attackers on the concert hall near Moscow initially tried to escape to Belarus. But they turned back because of the border checkpoints.
»Therefore there was no possibility for them to enter Belarus. You saw that. That's why they turned around and went to the section on the Ukrainian-Russian border. Russian representatives had previously claimed that the suspects initially tried to flee to Ukraine.
Belarus reportedly increased security measures
The information cannot be independently verified. It also remained unclear why the terrorists were supposed to have considered fleeing to Belarus, which is closely allied with Russia.
According to Lukashenko, security precautions in the border region were increased immediately after the attack in Moscow. The state border committee and parts of the army were also involved.
Shortly after the attack, the terrorist militia “Islamic State Khorasan Province” (ISPK) claimed responsibility for the attack in Crocus City Hall, which left at least 139 dead and dozens injured. Western security authorities and experts consider the letter to be credible.
Russia's security authorities have now arrested several suspected Islamist suspects. However, Russian officials continue to suggest that Ukraine may be involved in the attack. Russia did not provide any evidence of this. Ukraine denies any involvement.
During the attack, armed attackers entered the concert hall northwest of Moscow and opened fire there. It was the worst attack on Russian soil in more than 20 years.
fek/AFP