Russia Convicts 19 for Crocus City Hall Attack

A Moscow court has convicted 19 people for their involvement in the March 22, 2024, shooting rampage and fire at the Crocus City Hall concert venue, which killed 149 people and wounded over 600. Fifteen defendants, including the four gunmen (Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, Makhammadsobir Fayzov, Crocus City Hall attack, and Crocus City Hall attack, all Tajik citizens), received life sentences, while others received lengthy prison terms. A faction of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack. However, Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin and the Russia===Investigative Committee of Russia, have claimed, without presenting evidence, that Ukraine orchestrated the attack to destabilize Russia, a claim Kyiv strongly denies. The trial, which began in August 2025, was held behind closed doors due to security concerns. The event has also led to increased anti-migrant rhetoric and laws in Russia, causing tensions with Central Asian allies like Tajikistan, whose citizens were among the convicted. Some defendants, like Dzhabrail Aushyev and Khusein Medov, reportedly requested to fight in Ukraine instead of serving their sentences.