Culture Society, Identity and Belonging
Russia charged four men with acts of terrorism on Sunday, after at least 137 people were killed and 182 injured in the deadliest attack inside Russia for two decades. Islamic State (Isis) quickly claimed responsibility for the gun assault at the Crocus City Hall concert venue on Friday night and released video evidence. The US has blamed an Afghan-based affiliate known as Isis-K, which has bolstered its numbers over the past year with a recruitment drive in neighbouring Tajikistan, according to the Guardian. All four men, who appeared to have been visibly beatenAll four men, who appeared to have been visibly beaten and with one arriving at court in a wheelchair, were identified as Tajik nationals. But Putin is leaning into a different narrative: a brief speech on Saturday avoided any mention of Isis but said the gunmen had tried to escape to Ukraine. Kyiv has strongly denied any involvement but is bracing for further blame. Putin is recently re-elected and hates to appear weak. As Russians queue up to lay flowers for the dead, it’s easier for him to blame Ukraine than admit to other threats that his mighty security forces missed.