In the wake of the devastating Crocus City concert hall attack in Moscow, details about the four suspects involved have begun to emerge. Each defendant was brought to court individually on Sunday, with three reportedly pleading guilty to all charges, as stated by the state media agency TASS. The four men show signs of severe beating.

Here’s what we know about the accused individuals:

1. Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev: The 32-year-old from Tajikistan was the first to appear in court. According to reports from RIA Novosti, Mirzoyev had a temporary registration in Novosibirsk, Siberia, which had expired.

2. Saidakrami Rachabalizoda: Rachabalizoda, reportedly born in 1994, appeared as the second defendant. He claimed to have Russian registration documents but couldn’t recall their whereabouts, communicating through an interpreter, as per RIA Novosti.

3. Shamsidin Fariduni: Born in 1998 in Tajikistan, Fariduni is a citizen of the Central Asian country. According to RIA Novosti, he was officially employed at a factory in Podolsk, Russia, and registered in Krasnogorsk.

4. Muhammadsober Faizov: Faizov, who appeared nonresponsive in a wheelchair accompanied by a doctor, was the fourth defendant. He was temporarily unemployed, previously working in a barber shop in Ivanovo, northeast of Moscow. He is registered in Ivanovo and was reportedly born in 2004, as outlined by RIA Novosti.

All four suspects have been remanded into pre-trial detention until May 22, as the Moscow City Court announced via Telegram.

The attack, which occurred last Friday, marks Russia’s deadliest in two decades, leaving the nation in shock and grief. Moreover, the timing, coming shortly after President Putin secured his fifth presidential term, adds a layer of complexity to the situation, tarnishing the image of a leader who emphasizes stability and security.

The possibility of the Islamic State’s involvement has also raised concerns. Despite initial dismissal by the Kremlin of US warnings of a potential attack on Russian soil, the IS claim following the assault underscores the persistent threat posed by the group. The attack follows a pattern of IS targeting Russian interests, including the bombing of a Russian plane over Egypt in 2015 that killed 224 people and the St. Petersburg metro attack in 2017.

Security analysts point to Russia’s involvement in conflicts in Syria, Chechnya, and Afghanistan as factors contributing to its status as a prime target for IS and its affiliates. IS-K, particularly active in Afghanistan and Central Asia, remains among the most formidable offshoots of the terrorist organization.

As investigations continue and the nation mourns the victims, the focus remains on uncovering the full extent of the perpetrators’ motives and affiliations in this devastating act of violence.