still in shock from the Crocus City Hall attack, these Moscow residents in deep doubt

The four suspected attackers behind the attack, which left 137 dead, were placed in pre-trial detention for two months on Sunday by a court in the Russian capital.

Moscow mourns its dead. To the rhythm of prayers, like that of this Orthodox priest, all day long, Sunday March 24, thousands of Muscovites came to place red carnations in front of the Crocus City Hall. The attack on this concert hall, which left 137 dead and 182 injured, was claimed by the jihadist organization Islamic State, but the Russian authorities put forward a Ukrainian lead, affirming that the attackers were trying to surrender. in Ukraine where they had contacts. Ukraine vigorously denies any involvement in this attack, the deadliest in Russia since the early 2000s.

Among the residents of Moscow who came to pay tribute to the memory of the victims, Elena, who is angry. “We are all in shock. All of Moscow is crying, in mourning. You have no idea how hard and painful it is. Those who did this are worthless. They’re not even men. They are creatures, beasts who don’t know what a soul, a heart is… How could they do that?“, she denounces.

“Why are artists around the world silent today?”

As with this woman, the shock is immense for these questioning Russians of all ages. Some blame terrorism”who has no nationality” they say, when others, like Ivan, adhere to the first idea mentioned by Vladimir Putin: “Who is behind this? Ukraine! We have no conflict with anyone else. You read the news, you are a media outlet, you know this perfectly: I think it’s Ukraine. I have nothing to add.“

Then Iosif Prigozhin, a music producer who is a celebrity in Russia, arrives on the scene. Close to power, he plays on the string of isolated and attacked Russia. “Artists from all over the world, the biggest stars, why are they silent today? It’s a concert hall where they performed. Why don’t they publish anything? Why aren’t they grieving with us?“, he blurted.

“Is it for political reasons? They’re coming out to defend those bastards from Pussy Riot, but they’re saying nothing about the terrorist attack in Moscow!”

Iosif Prigozhin

at franceinfo

But not all Russians are angry with Westerners, like Georgi, a student. He does not believe in the Ukrainian trail, but above all, like many, he points the finger at the failings of the security services. “This situation showed that our law enforcement did not react very quickly. The terrorists managed to escape, this is not normal. Traveling so many kilometers and not being detected by our services is very strange…“, notes the young man.

Late Sunday evening, Muscovites were still marching in front of Crocus City Hall, but Vladimir Putin was not seen there, who lit a candle in a church near his residence, the Kremlin said.