A new suspect, Dzhumokhon Kurbonov from Tajikistan, has been detained by a Moscow court for his alleged involvement as an accomplice in the attack on a concert hall in suburban Moscow that resulted in the deaths of 144 people in March. The court ruled that Kurbonov would be held in custody until May 22 for further investigation and trial. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported that Kurbonov was previously detained for petty hooliganism, a tactic often used by Russian security forces to keep suspects in custody while preparing a criminal case against them.
Twelve defendants, including four individuals who carried out the attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue, have been arrested in connection with the case. The suspects, all identified as citizens of Tajikistan, appeared in court at the end of March on terrorism charges and showed signs of severe beatings.
An Islamic State group faction claimed responsibility for the massacre, where gunmen shot and set fire to the building while people were waiting for a concert by a rock band. Russian officials, led by President Vladimir Putin, have suggested without evidence that Ukraine and the West were involved in the attack. Ukraine has denied these allegations, accusing Moscow of using them as a pretext for escalating conflict in Ukraine.
