Russia has accused the special services of an enemy state for the attack on Croccus Hall

Russian officials said today that the attack in the Crokus Concert Hall in Moscow, with 145 people, was planned and organized by « the special services of the enemy state, » the Associated Press reported. According to Svetlana Petrenko of the Russian Investigation Committee, the aim was to « destabilize the situation in Russia ».

Although it does not specify the « enemy state », it notes that « six central Asians », who are currently outside Russia, have been charged in absentia and have been declared wanted in Russia for alleged recruitment and organizing the training of four of the suspects.

The four men, who were identified in the media as Tajikistan citizens, appeared in the Moscow court at the end of March last year on accusations of terrorism.

According to Petrenko, 19 people are currently detained in Russia in connection with the attack on the Croccus Moscow Hall.

A faction of the Islamic State group took responsibility for the attack in which armed persons fired at people who were waiting for a concert of a popular rock band and then set fire to the building.

Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, stubbornly claim, without presenting evidence that Ukraine plays a role in the attack. Kyiv strongly denies being involved.