Russia arrests suspected gunmen as concert toll soars to 115

23/3/2024 18:33

        Two people suspected of carrying out a deadly attack near Moscow have been detained after a car chase but others are still at large, a Russian lawmaker said on Saturday.
        
        Camouflage-clad gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons at concertgoers near the capital on Friday, killing at least 60 people and injuring 145 in an attack claimed by Islamic State militants.
        
        Lawmaker Alexander Khinshtein cited "preliminary information" saying the attackers were in a Renault vehicle that was spotted by police in Bryansk region, about 340 km southwest of Moscow on Friday night, but disobeyed instructions to stop.
        
        The lawmaker said, "During the pursuit, shots were fired and the car overturned. One terrorist was detained on the spot, the rest fled into the forest. As a result of the search, a second suspect was found and detained at approximately 3:50 a.m. The search for the others continues."
        
        It was not clear how many people had escaped the scene.
        
        Khinshtein said a pistol, a magazine for an assault rifle and passports from Tajikistan were found in the car.