Torture of concert attack suspect 'unacceptable'

Russia's Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova

Russian authorities detained 11 individuals in connection with the attack on Crocus City Hall, a tragic event that resulted in the death of at least 139 people. Following the arrests, concerns arose regarding the treatment of the suspects by law enforcement, with unverified footage circulating on social media suggesting instances of torture during interrogation.

Key Events and Allegations

Attack and Detentions: Four camouflaged gunmen stormed into Crocus City Hall, firing indiscriminately and setting the building ablaze. Subsequently, 11 people were detained by Russian authorities in connection with the attack.

Allegations of Torture: Graphic footage surfaced on social media purportedly showing the interrogation of the suspects, leading some observers to conclude that they were subjected to torture by law enforcement officials. The footage depicted disturbing scenes, including one suspect having his ear cut off and forced into his mouth, and another shown with an electric device attached to his genitals.

Verification by Reuters: Reuters was able to verify that the individuals seen in the detention footage were indeed the same ones who appeared in court on Sunday, raising further concerns about the treatment they endured while in custody.

Court Proceedings: The Basmanny District Court in Moscow ordered seven suspects to be placed in custody until May 22 to await trial on terrorism charges. An eighth suspect is expected to appear in court soon.

Response from Authorities and Observations

The Kremlin declined to comment on the alleged torture of the suspected shooters, maintaining silence on the matter.
Despite President Vladimir Putin acknowledging the involvement of "radical Islamists" in the attack, he linked them to Ukraine, a claim vehemently denied by Ukrainian authorities as absurd.

Previous Instances of Concern

Notably, Human Rights Ombudswoman Tatyana Moskalkova had previously expressed disapproval of the recorded beating of a Russian teenager, Nikita Zhuravel, who was arrested for burning the Quran. Zhuravel was sentenced to 3.5 years in jail this year, but no investigation was conducted into his reported beating by Adam Kadyrov, son of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

The detention and alleged torture of suspects following the Crocus City Hall attack have raised serious concerns regarding human rights and the treatment of detainees in Russia. As investigations proceed and court proceedings unfold, it is imperative for authorities to ensure that all actions are conducted in accordance with the law and respect for human rights.