SCARY SHOW

The recent terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall complex continues to make headlines. The investigation is ongoing, with suspects already in custody and authorities actively pursuing leads.

Reported casualties stand at around 140 fatalities and over 180 injuries. However, the impact of the event goes beyond these numbers, affecting many lives profoundly. Those present at the concert that evening faced a harrowing experience, with families and friends left frantically trying to reach their loved ones amidst the chaos. The repercussions of this tragedy ripple out like concentric circles on water.

Azerbaijani Dimension of the Tragedy

It is reported that among the deceased in the incident in Moscow is Vugar Huseynov, an Azerbaijani who bravely attempted to shield others during the attack. Additionally, individuals like Islam Khalilov and Kamil Nasibov, both of Azerbaijani descent, played crucial roles in guiding people to safety. Unfortunately, these acts of heroism were overshadowed by unfounded anti-Azerbaijani sentiments propagated by certain media figures, including Vladimir Soloviev of Russia.

The false narrative of an "Azerbaijani connection" spun by Soloviev led to unwarranted backlash against the Azerbaijani community in Moscow. This deliberate misinformation not only stirred fear but also highlighted the dangerous implications of inciting prejudice in times of crisis. The TV presenter resorted to fabricating an "Azerbaijani trace" in the aftermath of the tragic events, falsely implicating Azerbaijani connections where none existed. By falsely linking the ownership of Crocus City Hall to Azerbaijanis and spreading misinformation about a supposed "Azerbaijani surname" among the suspects, he perpetuated a damaging narrative that was devoid of truth. Despite the authorities confirming the identities of the detained individuals as Tajik citizens, the damage had been done.

The unfounded accusations stirred unwarranted fear and hostility towards the Azerbaijani community in Moscow, leading to a disturbing wave of threatening phone calls. Such actions raise questions about the presenter's motives and the potential repercussions of his irresponsible reporting on a sensitive and volatile situation.

Déjà Vu

In the late 1980s, during the staging of Mikhail Shatrov's play "The Dictatorship of Conscience," a theatrical performance in St. Petersburg (Leningrad) incorporated a directorial technique involving individuals in black attire and masks simulating a terrorist threat by the Red Brigades. This immersive experience highlighted the vulnerability of mass gatherings, such as concerts and theatre productions, to potential acts of terrorism. Tragic incidents like the 2006 Moscow Dubrovka Theatre attack during the musical Nord-Ost and the 2015 Paris Bataclan concert hall massacre underscore the sobering reality of such threats.

Azerbaijan's own brush with terrorism during the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest revealed a sinister plot orchestrated by Vugar Padarov and his group to unleash chaos at the Baku Crystal Hall. The foiled scheme, which included plans for bombings and an assassination attempt on President Ilham Aliyev, was thwarted by Azerbaijani special services, saving countless lives from harm.

Reports from Azerbaijani news agencies following the Moscow tragedy highlighted the uncovering of another terrorist cell in the southern region of Azerbaijan. This group was reportedly planning targeted attacks, including the assassination of a government official in Lankaran and an English teacher with American or Israeli citizenship. The swift actions of Azerbaijani security forces in dismantling such threats underscore the effectiveness of anti-terror measures within the country.

International experts have recognised Azerbaijan's proactive stance against terrorism, notably evidenced by the successful elimination of a separatist threat in Khankendi in September 2023. These efforts reflect a commitment to safeguarding public safety and combating extremist elements to maintain peace and security within Azerbaijan's borders.

Was it unforeseen?

Warnings of potential terrorist threats in the Russian capital surfaced as early as March 8. The US Embassy in Moscow issued a stark warning to its citizens: "The Embassy is monitoring reports that extremists are planning attacks on large gatherings in Moscow, including concerts. US citizens are advised to steer clear of large gatherings for the ensuing 48 hours." They were urged to stay abreast of local media reports and remain vigilant to their surroundings. The British Foreign Office disseminated a comparable caution. In hindsight, informed experts reluctantly acknowledge the existence of intelligence indicating the Islamic State of Khorasan, an Afghan faction of ISIS, had set its sights on Russia.

A question plagues many: How did a terrorist attack in the capital of a nation at war escape detection in a timely fashion? This quandary persists despite the Russian Federation's FSB not being in want of funding, nor lacking scrutiny from deputies, journalists, human rights advocates, and the like. What accounted for the Rosgvardiya's delayed arrival at the concert venue? How did the assailants manage to vanish into the crowd, only to be apprehended later in the Bryansk region? And why did the attackers not employ even rudimentary measures to elude capture—such as lying low in pre-arranged apartments, dispersing, or at the very least, switching vehicles? The questions abound.

The incident has seized the focus of the global expert community and serves as a stark reminder that terrorism is a universal menace.

Identifying the Architect of Terror

It's likely no mere happenstance that France elevated its terror threat level to the apex during the same time-frame. President Emmanuel Macron summoned his Security Council. Checks were even conducted on the security of nuclear facilities. These are the disclosures made to the public. Naturally, much remains undisclosed for evident reasons.

One might conclude the discussion here, bemoaning the scarcity of truly secure locales in today's world. However, just a week prior to the harrowing occurrence in Moscow, a bust of Solomon Teylerian, an activist from the Armenian militant group Nemesis, was inaugurated in Marseille, France—coinciding with the anniversary of the slaying of Talaat Pasha, the erstwhile leader of the Ottoman Interior Ministry. This act evidently aligns with the French government's overtures towards Yerevan, leveraging the Armenian diaspora in France as a political instrument.

Of late, France's disdain and antagonistic posture towards Azerbaijan have escalated to the extent of attempting to obliterate all Azerbaijani associations. This anti-Azerbaijani sentiment has permeated cultural and artistic domains. For instance, the monument to Khurshidbanu Natavan in Evian-les-Bains, France, was defaced with red paint, and the statue itself sustained damage. Consequently, the Azerbaijani Embassy in France was compelled to re-erect the monument within the confines of the Cultural Centre at its Parisian diplomatic premises.

A nation with self-regard would never condone a double standard when it comes to combating terrorism. Yet, as President Macron's actions suggest, he lacks the political resolve to address this issue head-on. Similarly, the European Parliament members poised to endorse the contentious resolution advocating Armenia's candidacy for EU membership seem bereft of the resolve to confront Yerevan about ceasing state-level terror support. Nonetheless, such backing exists. In this nation, there is an overt glorification of terrorists. Active terrorist factions, notably VOMA and Yerkrapah, operate with impunity. The latter was implicated in the February border provocation with Azerbaijan.

Double standards have not eluded the scrutiny of entities akin to the Islamic State, such as Sandero Luminos, the Red Brigades, and similar groups. Their leaders are reaching the consensus that engaging in terror is, fundamentally, feasible. It merely requires adept manipulation of political fervour.

And thus, the blood of the innocent is shed...