Parroting the Kremlin line, Russian media is ignoring IS claims of responsibility for the Crocus City attack.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/14063330

It began with hints. Intimation.

Now, it’s no holds barred accusations.

The Russian authorities are aggressively pushing the line that Ukraine and the West were behind last month’s Crocus City concert hall massacre outside Moscow which left 145 people dead.

The Islamic State group quickly claimed responsibility for the attack. But soon after the suspected gunmen were detained President Vladimir Putin hinted at a Ukrainian connection.

At the weekend Russian state TV broadcast interrogation videos of the four suspects, all citizens of Tajikistan. One of the men said on camera that the post-attack plan had been “to head towards Kyiv”.

Their words must be taken with extreme caution. During a court appearance after their arrest the men showed signs of torture.

    • bungleofjoy@programming.devEnglish
      14·
      1 month ago

      This is likely aimed at internal audience: the support for war wasn’t where the kremlin wanted and this act “proves” that they were right to fight Ukraine and the west

  • phoenixz@lemmy.caEnglish
    8·
    1 month ago

    signs of torture

    That is a nice understatement. Seriously, one was unconscious and had bruises over his face, another still had a plastic bag wrapped around his neck, another had an eye beat shut… These guys were tortured enough for me to highly doubt they were even the real perpetrators, this is Russia after all.

    • ArbitraryValue@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      8·
      1 month ago

      I don’t know why the media minces words like that. The men were tortured, clearly and unambiguously. There’s overwhelming evidence of it, and not even a serious attempt by Russia to hide that it happened. Everything those men say is what the KGB FSB told them to say.

      • Tarquinn2049@lemmy.worldEnglish
        5·
        1 month ago

        Because real media is held liable for the things they say. They can’t say something is for sure true if it is 99.999% likely but still technically in the speculation stage. They can’t say someone is guilty of a crime until they literally are, they can’t even imply it. It’s part of the journalistic integrity rules.

        • phoenixz@lemmy.caEnglish
          2·
          1 month ago

          This.

          Having fox “news” and oan and other bullshit shows, I think it’s extremely important that we focus on having reliable and responsible Journalism.