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Two suspects in Moscow attack detained, others flee after car chase - lawmaker

Two suspects involved in the deadly attack near Moscow, which resulted in at least 60 deaths and 145 injuries, have been detained following a car chase, though others remain at large.

AFP WORLD
Published March 23,2024
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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 (210 miles) southwest of Moscow on Friday night, but disobeyed instructions to stop.

"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," the lawmaker said.

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.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, the deadliest in Russia since the Beslan school siege in 2004.