3 of 4 suspects charged in Russia concert hall attack plead guilty during court hearing

The other three suspects appeared in court heavily bruised with swollen faces amid reports in Russian media that they were tortured during interrogation by the security services.

One suspect, Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, had a heavily bandaged ear. Russian media reported on Saturday that one of the suspects had his ear cut off during interrogation. Associated Press could not verify the report or the videos which purported to show this.

Russia’s opposition blasts Putin’s broken security promises

The hearing came as Russia observed a national day of mourning, following the attack Friday on the suburban Crocus City Hall concert venue that killed at least 137 people.
The attack, which has been claimed by an affiliate of Islamic State, is the deadliest on Russian soil in years.
Russian authorities arrested the four suspected attackers Saturday, with seven more people detained on suspicion of involvement in the attack, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an address to the nation Saturday night. He claimed they were captured while fleeing to Ukraine, something that Kyiv firmly denied.

Family and friends of those still missing waited for news of their loved ones as Russia observed a day of national mourning on Sunday.