Russian authorities have reportedly arrested another Tajik national in connection with the March 22 terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow that left 144 people dead and hundreds more injured.
The RBK news agency cited sources in law enforcement on April 26 as identifying the detained suspect as Jumokhon Qurbonov, who was born in 2003.
Russian authorities have said 11 Tajik citizens and a Kyrgyzstan-born Russian citizen have been arrested in connection with the attack, Russia’s worst terrorist attack in two decades. Responsibility was claimed by an offshoot of Islamic State known as Islamic State-Khorasan.
Russian investigators say the assault was carried out by four men, all Tajik nationals. Other detainees are being held for aiding and abetting the attackers.
On April 12, Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin condemned the treatment of the Tajik suspects amid allegations that the detainees were tortured in custody.
Several Tajik suspects showed signs of abuse when they appeared in court in Moscow following the attack. The four accused gunmen had bruised and swollen faces and showed other signs of having been severely beaten. There were unconfirmed reports that one of them had his ear cut off during his arrest.
Muhriddin also condemned the surge of xenophobia in Russia after the attack, saying that as a result of an "ill-conceived information campaign" a "negative perception is being formed toward citizens of Tajikistan."
The Kremlin has insisted without evidence that Ukraine, with the help of the United States, was responsible for the attack. Both Kyiv and Washington have dismissed the accusation.
The attack was seen as a major failure for Russia's security and intelligence services. The United States has said it gave specific information ahead of time, warning of a possible terrorist attack. Iran also reportedly provided a tip ahead of time.