Tajikistan has arrested nine people suspected of being involved in a mass shooting at a Russian concert hall last Friday. The attack, which a militant Islamist group claimed, led to mass casualties.
According to a Tajik security source, among those detained, four Tajik citizens are believed to be the gunmen responsible for the deadliest incident in Russia in two decades. They, along with five others, some of whom are also from Central Asia, were arrested earlier this week.
The arrests took place in Vakhdat on Monday, and the suspects are currently held in Dushanbe, the capital. The specific details of their detention remain undisclosed.
The assault on the concert hall, located near Moscow, led to at least 143 fatalities.
In a related move, Tajikistan’s security committee has also taken into custody the families of the alleged gunmen. This action enables Russian investigators to conduct interrogations in Dushanbe. Tajikistan, a Russian security alliance participant and home to a Russian military base, has cooperated with the investigation.
Furthermore, Russian authorities have linked the attackers to “Ukrainian nationalists.” This claim has been refuted by the United States, labelling it as unfounded propaganda. Ukraine also denies any connection to the tragedy.
