Ambassadors lay flowers at site of Russia hall massacre

Diplomats from the United Kingdom were among envoys to attend a ceremony on the outskirts of Moscow. (AP PHOTO)

Foreign diplomats in Russia have laid flowers at the site of last week’s attack on a suburban Moscow concert hall that killed 144 people.

Those in attendance included ambassadors and heads of missions from around the world including the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti noted that the attendees included representatives of "unfriendly states".

Since the attack, thousands of people have brought bunches of flowers, wreaths and other tokens such as teddy bears, creating a makeshift memorial at the Crocus City Hall.

Russian state news agency Tass reported on Saturday that the number of people wounded in the attack was 551, quoting figures from the Moscow regional department of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry. 

Previous figures have been much lower and it did not explain the discrepancy.

The death toll rose to 144 on Friday when a severely injured victim died in a hospital, according to Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko.

An affiliate of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, the deadliest on Russian soil in years. 

The Kremlin has insisted that Ukraine had a role, something officials in Kyiv has vehemently denied. 

Nine people were detained by Tajikistan’s state security service in relation to the attack, RIA Novosti said on Friday.

In Russia, a total of nine suspects have faced court so far and were remanded in pre-trial detention. 

Envoys at a laying ceremony at Crocus City Hall
Thousands of people have brought flowers, wreaths and other tokens to a makeshift memorial.

The latest hearing took place on Friday, with a judge in the Basmanny District Court ruling that suspect Lutfulloi Nazrimad should be held in custody until at least May 22. 

Russian independent news site Mediazona cited Nazrimad as saying in court that he was born in Tajikistan.

Since the attack, Tajikistan's Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment has registered an outflow of migrants workers from Moscow back to Tajikistan. 

"There are a lot of calls. These are most likely not so much complaints about harassment but about our citizens' fear, panic, many want to leave. We are now monitoring the situation; more people are coming (to Tajikistan) than leaving," Deputy Labour Minister Shakhnoza Nodiri told Tass, the news agency said on Saturday. 

Russian officials previously said that 11 suspects had been arrested, including four who allegedly carried out the attack. 

Those four, identified as Tajik citizens, appeared in a Moscow court on Sunday on terrorism charges and showed signs of severe beatings. 

One appeared to be barely conscious during the hearing.

Russia's Investigative Committee additionally said on Thursday it had detained another suspect in relation to the raid on Crocus City Hall, on suspicion of being involved in financing the attack. 

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store