Moscow [Russia], March 29: The four main suspects arrested after the terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow were allegedly under the influence of drugs when carrying out the mass shooting, according to a report by Russian state news agency TASS.
"Which drugs or psychotropic drugs they have consumed will be determined by an expert," TASS reported on Thursday, citing investigators.
The report suggested that the suspected perpetrators could have been under the influence of drugs not only on the day of the attack itself, but also beforehand. The Islamic State terrorist militia has claimed responsibility for Friday's attack, which left more than 140 people dead and 360 injured.
The investigation committee also said that technical devices had been confiscated from the suspects. An analysis of connection data shows that the men had been in contact with Ukrainian nationalists and had received payments, it claimed.
Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have repeatedly suggested that Ukraine may have been involved in the attack, accusations Kiev has vehemently rejected.
The four suspected gunmen have missed the deadline for an appeal against the arrest warrants, according to court statements.
Almost a week after one of the worst terrorist attacks in Russian history, Kremlin leader Putin has still not paid a visit to the crime scene. In response to a question about Putin's failure to do so, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained that the president did not want to disrupt the investigation and clean-up work.
Putin has expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and the authorities have promised financial aid for the injured and bereaved.
Source: Qatar Tribune
