A Moscow military court has delivered verdicts against 19 individuals connected to the devastating 2024 concert hall attack that resulted in 149 fatalities and over 600 injuries. The sentencing concluded on Thursday following a closed-door trial that commenced in August 2025.
Fifteen defendants received life imprisonment terms, while one was sentenced to 22.5 years incarceration. Three additional perpetrators were given prison terms of 19 years and 11 months each. The trial was conducted under strict security protocols without public access, consistent with Russian judicial procedures for terrorism cases.
The horrific incident occurred on March 22, 2024, at Crocus City Hall, where assailants opened fire on concert attendees awaiting a performance by a popular rock band before igniting the venue. The Islamic State faction claimed responsibility for the coordinated assault, which stands as one of Moscow’s most lethal terrorist events in recent history.
Despite the Islamic State’s acknowledgment, Russian authorities maintain alternative theories regarding the attack’s origins. The Investigative Committee, Russia’s premier criminal investigation body, asserts the assault was orchestrated to advance Ukrainian political interests and destabilize Russia. This allegation persists despite vehement denials from Kyiv and absence of publicly presented evidence.
Among those convicted were four Tajikistani nationals apprehended hours after the attack, who exhibited visible signs of physical trauma during their initial court appearance. Other defendants included three individuals who facilitated vehicle sales to the perpetrators, a landlord who provided accommodation, and ten additional persons accused of maintaining terrorist affiliations, according to reporting by independent Russian media outlet Mediazona.