The owner of the concert hall near Moscow where at least 137 people died in a terrorist attack on Friday has vowed to rebuild the venue, stating, "We will never forget those who fell victims to terrorists - what was destroyed by their dirty hands will be restored".
An affiliate of Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred during a concert by Russian band Picnic at the Crocus City Hall venue, owned by the Crocus Group. Gunmen opened fire on the audience and set the venue ablaze. At least 137 concertgoers died, with more than 100 other people injured.
There are obvious parallels to the attack by IS-allied terrorists on the Bataclan venue in Paris in 2015. Two years later an Islamist terrorist was behind the 2017 bombing of the Manchester Arena. More recently, four teenagers were arrested in Belgium over allegations that they were planning an attack on the Botanique venue in Brussels. The arrests, according to Brussels Times, were the result of “a federal investigation targeting those suspected of connections to violent Islamic extremism”.
Following this weekend's attack in Moscow, UK Chancellor Of The Exchequer Jeremy Hunt confirmed in an interview that other European countries should be concerned about the possibility of future terrorist incidents involving Islamist groups. Intelligence agencies are working hard to combat any threats, he added, but people should still "remain vigilant".
"We are very lucky in this country that we have incredibly impressive intelligence agencies who have been successful in stopping, in foiling, a lot of terrorist threats over recent years", Hunt told Sky News. "But we have to remain vigilant - and, if it is Islamic State, they are utterly indiscriminate in what they do, they are prepared to murder in the most horrific way".
US intelligence agencies actually issued a warning recently about a potential terrorist attack targeting "large gatherings" in Moscow and shared that information with the Russian authorities. Since Friday, police in Russia have arrested eleven suspects, including four people believed to have been directly involved in the attack.
Despite poor diplomatic relations between Western countries and Russia due to the war in Ukraine, there was international condemnation of the attack, which targeted innocent Russians simply attending a concert. Although some in the West have criticised those in Russia who have sought to link Ukraine to the incident, multiple Western political leaders have condemned the attack and expressed sympathies with the families of the victims.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, stated, "I strongly condemn the terrorist attack against civilians in the Crocus City Hall in Moscow claimed by the Islamic State. My thoughts are with the victims and their families during this tragic time".
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron said, "The UK condemns in the strongest terms the deadly terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall near Moscow. We offer our heartfelt condolences and express our deepest sympathy to the families of the many victims. Nothing can ever justify such horrific violence”.
US Secretary Of State Antony Blinken said, “We send our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and all affected by this heinous crime. We condemn terrorism in all its forms and stand in solidarity with the people of Russia in grieving the loss of life from this horrific event".
