Attack near Moscow: Russia again accuses Ukraine, Washington denounces “absurd propaganda”
Russia claimed Thursday to have “
proof
” that the perpetrators of the attack which left 143 dead near Moscow had links with “
Ukrainian nationalists
”, accusations described by Washington as “
absurd propaganda
”.
The site of Crocus City Hall near Moscow, March 27, 2024. © Alexander Zemlianichenko / AP
By: RFI with AFP
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The attack, which took place Friday evening in a large concert hall, was claimed by the jihadist organization Islamic State (IS) but Russian officials say Ukraine
and
the West were the instigators. kyiv and its allies deny any involvement in this killing and believe that the Kremlin, in the midst of an armed conflict against Ukraine, is seeking to blame the latter for political reasons.
The Investigative Committee, the body responsible for the main criminal investigations in
Russia
, affirmed Thursday in this context that it had new elements proving, according to it, a Ukrainian lead. “
Work with detained terrorists, examination of technical devices seized from them and analysis of information on financial transactions made it possible to obtain evidence of their links with Ukrainian nationalists
,” the Committee assured on Telegram.
According to this organization, the four attackers also received “
large sums of money and cryptocurrencies from Ukraine, which were used in the preparation of this crime
”. Investigators, who have not published any documents or elements to corroborate these statements, also announced the arrest of a new suspect, accused of having participated in the “
financing
” of the attack. Authorities previously reported the arrest of 11 people, including the four suspected attackers. Eight were charged and remanded in custody.
Also listenMoscow attack: “EI-K struck in particular because of Russian support for Syrian power”
“
Dung merchants
” for the United States
Russian leaders are “
dung merchants
” trying to spread “
absurd propaganda
” about the attack in the suburbs of the Russian capital, for which ISIS is “
solely responsible
,” the White House reacted Thursday. John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman, said his farmer uncle "used
to say that the best manure dealers often carry their samples in their mouths
." And added: “
Russian officials seem to be pretty good dung merchants
.”
On March 22, gunmen attacked the Crocus City Hall near Moscow, opening fire on spectators and causing a huge fire. This attack left at least 143 dead and 360 injured, including children.
According to President Vladimir Putin
, the four attackers were arrested in Russia's Bryansk region while trying to flee to Ukraine, where a "
window
" allowing them to cross the border had been prepared on the Ukrainian side. For the moment, the investigative committee cites a duration of the attack of 13 minutes and the use of automatic weapons. Russian television broadcast images of what police say they found at the scene: two Kalashnikov assault rifles, 500 bullets and 28 magazines.
Ukraine vigorously denies any involvement in this massacre, accusing Moscow of wanting to “
blame
” it on Kiev. The United States said it warned Russia in March that a terrorist attack was likely to target large gatherings in Moscow.
Read alsoAttack at Crocus City Hall in Moscow: Tajik migrants face a wave of rejection
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