Victims’ lawyers seek life sentences in Crocus terror attack case
Lawyers representing victims in the Crocus City Hall terror attack case intend to seek the harshest possible punishment for all defendants, including life imprisonment. The statement was reported by TASS, citing attorney Lyudmila Ayvar.
Closing arguments in the case will be held behind closed doors at the 2nd Western District Military Court. The March 2024 attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue left 149 people dead.
According to Ayvar, victims’ representatives will insist on «the most severe and fair punishment» for both the alleged perpetrators and other individuals involved, within the limits provided for by criminal law.
«This is not about revenge, but about justice and protecting society, as terrorism strikes not only specific individuals but also the overall sense of security in the country,» the lawyer said.
She added that victims believe the punishment must be inevitable and proportionate to the scale of the tragedy and the public danger posed by the crime.
The victims have also filed civil claims totaling tens of millions of rubles. However, Ayvar expressed skepticism about the possibility of actually recovering compensation, even if the court rules in their favor.
Earlier reports said the total amount of claims stands at around 66 million rubles. Approximately 1,700 individuals have been officially recognized as victims, along with mobile operators MTS and T2 Mobile and four organizations. Investigators estimate the total damage at roughly 6 billion rubles.
Court proceedings
The trial of 19 defendants began on August 4, 2025. Hearings are held three times a week by a panel of three judges of the 2nd Western District Military Court at a Moscow City Court facility.
The proceedings are closed to the public and media at the request of prosecutors, citing security concerns and the presence of classified materials. The court has also noted that disclosure of information could interfere with investigations into other alleged organizers and accomplices who remain at large.
Around 150 victims have chosen to participate personally in the trial and have testified in court. Enhanced security measures are in place at the courthouse.
Defendants in the case
A total of 19 individuals are on trial, including alleged perpetrators of the attack and their alleged accomplices. Among the defendants are Faridoun Shamsiddin, Dalerjon Mirzoyev, Muhammadsobir Fayzov, Saidakram Rajabalizoda, Umedjon and Mustaqim Soliyev, Shahromjon Gadoyev, Zubaydullo Ismoilov, Husein Homidov, Muhammadzohir Sharifzoda, Yaqubjon Yusufzoda, Lutfullo Nazrimad, Jumakhon Qurbonov, Husein Medov, Jabrail Aushev, Alisher Qosimov, as well as Isroil Islomov and his sons Dilovar and Aminjon. All have been placed on Russia’s list of terrorists.
After the indictment was read out, three of the four alleged direct perpetrators — Fayzov, Mirzoyev, and Shamsiddin — pleaded guilty, expressed remorse, and apologized to the victims. The fourth alleged gunman, Rajabalizoda, denied involvement in terrorist activity.
Isroil Islomov, his sons, and Zubaydullo Ismoilov, who was previously convicted in Tajikistan for public calls to violently change the constitutional order, also denied charges of assisting the attackers.
The remaining defendants partially admitted guilt but rejected accusations of terrorism-related crimes.
According to investigators, Faridoun Shamsiddin is considered the key organizer of the attack. Prosecutors allege he coordinated the group’s activities in Russia, conducted reconnaissance of the venue, purchased a vehicle for transportation, and received weapons allegedly delivered to Moscow by the Islomov family.
The terrorist attack occurred in the Crocus City Hall on March 22, 2024. It resulted in the deaths of 146 people and left more than 550 injured. The four attackers—Tajik nationals Muhammadsobir Faizov, Dalerjon Mirzoyev, Saidakram Rajabalizoda, and Faridoun Shamsiddin—attempted to flee but were apprehended in Bryansk Region and brought to Moscow.
Closing arguments in the case will be held behind closed doors at the 2nd Western District Military Court. The March 2024 attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue left 149 people dead.
According to Ayvar, victims’ representatives will insist on «the most severe and fair punishment» for both the alleged perpetrators and other individuals involved, within the limits provided for by criminal law.
«This is not about revenge, but about justice and protecting society, as terrorism strikes not only specific individuals but also the overall sense of security in the country,» the lawyer said.
She added that victims believe the punishment must be inevitable and proportionate to the scale of the tragedy and the public danger posed by the crime.
The victims have also filed civil claims totaling tens of millions of rubles. However, Ayvar expressed skepticism about the possibility of actually recovering compensation, even if the court rules in their favor.
Earlier reports said the total amount of claims stands at around 66 million rubles. Approximately 1,700 individuals have been officially recognized as victims, along with mobile operators MTS and T2 Mobile and four organizations. Investigators estimate the total damage at roughly 6 billion rubles.
Court proceedings
The trial of 19 defendants began on August 4, 2025. Hearings are held three times a week by a panel of three judges of the 2nd Western District Military Court at a Moscow City Court facility.
The proceedings are closed to the public and media at the request of prosecutors, citing security concerns and the presence of classified materials. The court has also noted that disclosure of information could interfere with investigations into other alleged organizers and accomplices who remain at large.
Around 150 victims have chosen to participate personally in the trial and have testified in court. Enhanced security measures are in place at the courthouse.
Defendants in the case
A total of 19 individuals are on trial, including alleged perpetrators of the attack and their alleged accomplices. Among the defendants are Faridoun Shamsiddin, Dalerjon Mirzoyev, Muhammadsobir Fayzov, Saidakram Rajabalizoda, Umedjon and Mustaqim Soliyev, Shahromjon Gadoyev, Zubaydullo Ismoilov, Husein Homidov, Muhammadzohir Sharifzoda, Yaqubjon Yusufzoda, Lutfullo Nazrimad, Jumakhon Qurbonov, Husein Medov, Jabrail Aushev, Alisher Qosimov, as well as Isroil Islomov and his sons Dilovar and Aminjon. All have been placed on Russia’s list of terrorists.
After the indictment was read out, three of the four alleged direct perpetrators — Fayzov, Mirzoyev, and Shamsiddin — pleaded guilty, expressed remorse, and apologized to the victims. The fourth alleged gunman, Rajabalizoda, denied involvement in terrorist activity.
Isroil Islomov, his sons, and Zubaydullo Ismoilov, who was previously convicted in Tajikistan for public calls to violently change the constitutional order, also denied charges of assisting the attackers.
The remaining defendants partially admitted guilt but rejected accusations of terrorism-related crimes.
According to investigators, Faridoun Shamsiddin is considered the key organizer of the attack. Prosecutors allege he coordinated the group’s activities in Russia, conducted reconnaissance of the venue, purchased a vehicle for transportation, and received weapons allegedly delivered to Moscow by the Islomov family.
The terrorist attack occurred in the Crocus City Hall on March 22, 2024. It resulted in the deaths of 146 people and left more than 550 injured. The four attackers—Tajik nationals Muhammadsobir Faizov, Dalerjon Mirzoyev, Saidakram Rajabalizoda, and Faridoun Shamsiddin—attempted to flee but were apprehended in Bryansk Region and brought to Moscow.
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