Russian President Vladimir Putin said all those responsible would be punished.
Moscow:
No country is immune to terrorism, the Kremlin said on Monday when asked whether security services made major lapses in preventing Friday’s deadly attack on a concert hall, the worst attack in Russia in two decades.
Four men stormed Crocus City Hall, opened fire on the crowd, and then set fire to the 6,200-seat city hall, killing at least 137 people and injuring 182 others.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an address to the nation on Saturday that all those responsible would be punished. He said 11 people had been detained, four of whom were traveling to Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday it would be inappropriate to comment on claims of responsibility for the Islamic State attack while an investigation is ongoing.
“The investigation is ongoing,” Peskov told reporters. “So far, no version has been presented.”
Asked whether the deadly attack on the outskirts of the Russian capital was a failure of special forces, Peskov said emotions were running high but no country was immune.
“Unfortunately, our world has shown that no city, no country can be completely immune to the threat of terrorism,” Peskov said. He said special forces worked tirelessly to defend Russia.
“The fight against terrorism is an ongoing process that requires comprehensive international cooperation. But you can see that now in this most acute period of confrontation, this cooperation has not been fully carried out in any case.”
The Federal Security Service (FSB), the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB, is one of Russia’s most powerful agencies. Since 2008, the agency has been led by Alexander Bortnikov, who briefed Putin on the investigation following the attack.
U.S. intelligence services
The United States said it warned Russia two weeks ago about the possibility of an attack on Moscow. The intelligence prompted the U.S. Embassy in Moscow to issue a warning that an attack by “extremists” was imminent.
Asked whether Russia’s security services needed Western assistance, Peskov said: “Our special services are operating independently and there is no question of any help now.”
Peskov declined to comment on intelligence details.
However, he said that in conversations with other leaders after the attack, other heads of state had recommended strengthening international counterterrorism efforts.
Unconfirmed videos posted by Russian media and Telegram channels close to the Kremlin showed some suspects being interrogated.
One of the suspects had part of his ear cut off and stuffed into his mouth. The other man’s hands were tied, his hair was grabbed by the interrogator, and he wore black boots under his head. Another man was questioned from a hospital bed.
When they appeared in court Sunday night, one had a bandage on his ear, another had bruises on his face and another was wearing a hospital gown.
Asked about possible abuse of suspects, Peskov said: “I don’t answer that question.”
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