Moscow terror attack - injured suspects appear in court accused of killing 137 people | BBC News

BBC News

24 Mar 202405:10

Summary

TLDRIn a tragic turn of events, at least 137 people lost their lives in an attack on a concert venue near Moscow. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility, releasing footage to support their claim. However, President Vladimir Putin suggested Ukraine's involvement. A national day of mourning was declared in Russia, with an outpouring of sympathy and tributes for the victims. Amidst the grief and shock, there were calls to reinstate the death penalty for terrorists. France raised its terror threat level in response to the attack, while the reasons for ISIS targeting Russia were speculated to be related to Syria, Afghanistan, and domestic suppression of jihadists.

Takeaways

📢 Two men have been charged in relation to a tragic attack at a Conant venue near Moscow, resulting in at least 137 fatalities.
🕯️ A national day of mourning was declared in Russia to honor the victims of the concert hall massacre.
🔥 The Islamic State group claimed responsibility, releasing footage to support their claim, while President Putin suggested possible Ukrainian involvement.
🏛️ The attack began in the concert hall foyer with gunmen targeting concertgoers and escalated to setting the building on fire.
🔍 Four suspects were arrested, with Russia alleging they were caught attempting to flee to Ukraine, a claim denied by Kiev.
🌍 Flags flew at half-mast across Russia, and an outpouring of sympathy and tributes, including toys and sweets for the children who perished, filled the scene.
💔 A mixture of grief and anger was palpable among the public, with many calling for the reinstitution of the death penalty for terrorists.
🥊 The reasons behind the Islamic State targeting Russia could include retaliation for Russian military actions in Syria, conflicts in Afghanistan, and domestic suppression of jihadists.
🇫🇷 In response to the attack, France raised its Terror Threat Level, reflecting ongoing concerns about Islamic State-inspired terrorism.
🔎 Security correspondents emphasize that the threat from ISIS and similar groups has not disappeared, remaining a high priority for security services.

Q & A

What happened at the Conant venue outside Moscow?
-There was a tragic attack at the Conant venue just outside Moscow, where four gunmen fired at concert-goers and set the building on fire, resulting in at least 137 deaths.
How did the Russian authorities and public respond to the attack?
-The Russian authorities declared a national day of mourning for the victims. Across Russia, flags flew at half-mast, and there was an outpouring of sympathy, with people leaving flowers, candles, soft toys, and sweets at the scene of the attack.
What did the Islamic State group claim in relation to the attack?
-The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, releasing graphic footage that appears to support their claim.
What was President Vladimir Putin's stance on the attack and the involvement of other countries?
-President Vladimir Putin suggested that Ukraine might have been involved in the attack, although Kiev denied any link to the incident.
What was the public sentiment towards the attackers?
-The public sentiment was a mixture of grief and anger. People left messages of condemnation, calling the attackers 'scum' and stating they would never forgive them.
What measures are being discussed in response to the attack?
-There have been calls to bring back the death penalty for terrorists, reflecting a desire for stricter measures against such acts of violence.
How did the attack begin according to the script?
-The attack began with gunmen in the foyer of the concert hall. As people tried to take cover, the attackers moved into the auditorium, leading to the death of more than 130 people.
What are the suspected motives of the Islamic State for targeting Russia?
-The possible motives include Russia's involvement in Syria, where the Russian Air Force has been inflicting casualties on Islamic State fighters; tensions with the Islamic State's Huran Branch in Afghanistan; and Russia's suppression of suspected jihadists within its borders.
How has the Islamic State threat evolved in Europe?
-The Islamic State threat has not gone away. In the UK, for example, it remains the highest priority for the security service, with the terror threat level at 'substantial,' meaning a terrorist attack is thought likely.
What is France's response to the Islamic State group's claim of responsibility for the attack?
-In response to the Islamic State group's claim of responsibility, France raised its Terror Threat Level, indicating a heightened state of vigilance.
What is the current status of the suspects arrested in connection with the attack?
-Four suspects have been arrested, with Russia claiming they were caught attempting to flee to Ukraine. The suspected gunman has appeared in court.

Outlines

00:00

🕯️ National Mourning and Investigation of Concert Hall Attack

The first paragraph discusses a tragic incident where two men were charged in connection with an attack on a Conant venue near Moscow, resulting in at least 137 casualties. The attackers fired at concertgoers and set the building on fire. Russia declared a national day of mourning for the victims. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility, releasing footage to support their claim, but President Vladimir Putin suggested Ukraine's involvement. The response in Moscow included mourning, flags at half-mast, and an outpouring of sympathy at the site of the attack. The public expressed a mix of grief and anger, with some calling for the reinstatement of the death penalty for terrorists. Four suspects were arrested, with Russia claiming they were caught fleeing to Ukraine, a claim denied by Kiev. Despite the somber day, President Putin and the Kremlin expressed hope for no further attacks.

05:01

🛡️ France Raises Terror Threat Level in Response to Attack

The second paragraph focuses on the international response to the attack in Russia, particularly from France, which raised its Terror Threat Level. The discussion involves a conversation with security correspondent Frank Gardner, who explains that the threat from the Islamic State has not disappeared. The UK's security service, MI5, prioritizes ISIS and Al-Qaeda inspired terrorism, with the current threat level at 'substantial,' indicating a likely but not imminent risk of a terrorist attack. France's decision to raise its threat level is based on the Islamic State's claim of responsibility for the Russian attack.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Conant venue

The term 'Conant venue' refers to the location of the tragic event described in the transcript, which is a concert hall where the attack took place. It is significant as it is the site where numerous lives were lost and many were affected, highlighting the severity of the incident.

💡national day of mourning

A 'national day of mourning' is a day designated by a country to express collective sorrow and remember the victims of a significant tragic event. In this context, it was declared in response to the attack, symbolizing the nation's shared grief and respect for those who lost their lives.

💡Islamic State group

The 'Islamic State group', also known as ISIS, is a militant extremist organization. The group claimed responsibility for the attack in the transcript, which underscores the international and terrorist nature of the incident, and its potential implications on global security.

💡Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin is the President of Russia. His mention in the transcript signifies the high level of government attention and response to the attack, as well as the potential geopolitical ramifications, given his suggestion of Ukraine's involvement.

💡Ukraine

Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. In the context of the transcript, it is implicated as having a potential connection to the attack, which could escalate tensions and have broader political consequences.

💡Sy

In this context, 'Sy' is likely a shorthand for Syria, a country in the Middle East. The reference to Syria relates to the wider geopolitical context of why ISIS might target Russia, due to Russia's military involvement in the Syrian Civil War.

💡Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a country in South Asia, and in the context of the transcript, it is mentioned as a potential reason for ISIS targeting Russia due to the activities of ISIS's affiliate, ISIS-Khorasan, also known as ISIS-K, which has clashed with the Taliban, and Russia's alleged alliance with the Taliban.

💡FSB

The FSB is Russia's Federal Security Service, a government agency responsible for domestic security, counter-intelligence, and counter-terrorism. The mention of the FSB in the transcript relates to the broader context of Russia's internal security measures and their impact on the country's relations with extremist groups like ISIS.

💡terror threat level

The 'terror threat level' refers to the evaluation by a country or organization of the current risk of a terrorist attack. In the transcript, the raising of France's terror threat level is a response to the ISIS claim of responsibility for the attack in Russia, indicating a heightened state of alert and preparedness.

💡MI5

MI5 is the United Kingdom's domestic counter-intelligence and security agency, responsible for protecting national security against threats from terrorism, espionage, and sabotage. In the context of the transcript, MI5's focus on ISIS and Al-Qaeda inspired terrorism underscores the ongoing global threat these groups pose.

💡Terror threat

A 'terror threat' refers to the potential risk of a terrorist attack. In the transcript, it is mentioned in relation to the UK's security level, which is at 'substantial', indicating that a terror attack is thought likely but not imminent. This term is crucial for understanding the ongoing efforts to prevent and mitigate terrorist activities.

Highlights

Two men have been charged in connection with Friday's attack on a Conant venue outside Moscow.

At least 137 people died after four gunmen fired at concertgoers and set the building on fire.

Today was declared a national day of mourning for the victims in Russia.

The Islamic State group has released graphic footage claiming responsibility for the attack.

Vladimir Putin suggested Ukraine's involvement in the attack, a claim denied by Kiev.

Flags flew at half-mast across Russia to honor the victims of the concert hall massacre.

An outpouring of sympathy and tributes, including soft toys and sweets, were brought to the scene, especially remembering the children among the deceased.

There was a mixture of grief and anger among the crowd, with some calling for the reinstatement of the death penalty for terrorists.

The attack began with gunmen in the foyer, leading to desperate attempts to take cover, and resulted in over 130 deaths.

Four suspects were arrested, with Russia claiming they were caught fleeing to Ukraine, a claim denied by Kiev.

President Putin, in a somber appearance, led silent prayers for the victims and expressed hope for no more attacks.

France raised its Terror Threat Level in response to the Islamic State group's claim of responsibility for the attack in Russia.

Three possible reasons for ISIS targeting Russia include retaliation for Russian Air Force actions in Syria, conflict in Afghanistan involving ISIS's Huran branch and the Taliban, and Russia's suppression of suspected jihadists domestically.

The threat of ISIS in Europe remains, with the UK's security service prioritizing ISIS and Al-Qaeda inspired terrorism.

The UK's terror threat level is at 'substantial', indicating a likelihood of a terrorist threat, while France has raised its level to the highest of three.