The defendants in the criminal case concerning the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall will begin reviewing the case materials in the coming days, Meduza reports, citing Kommersant.

On February 6, Oleg Vlasov, the lawyer of one of the accused, informed the TASS news agency that the parties had begun familiarizing themselves with the case materials.  He noted that the victims would be the first to review the documents, followed by the accused.

The investigation was completed in record time, Kommersant writes, emphasizing that it lasted less than a year, whereas similar cases usually take at least a year and a half.

The case comprises more than 100 volumes, but investigators have decided that the 27 defendants will not review all materials—only the portions directly related to them.

This will significantly shorten the review process, which could have otherwise stretched for up to six months.

It is expected that by March, the case will be submitted to the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office for approval, and by the anniversary of the attack on March 22, it will be transferred to the 2nd Western District Military Court for trial.

According to the publication, the military court will receive materials extracted from the main criminal case, the investigation of which will continue to identify all those involved in the attack, including organizers based abroad.

Kommersant reports that investigators have charged the suspected perpetrators of the attack—Dalerjon Mirzoyev, Saidakram Rajabalizoda, Shamsidin Faridoun, and Muhammadsobir Faizov—with terrorism, illegal arms and explosives trafficking, and other crimes.

The attackers were also charged under Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code (organizing or participating in a terrorist organization), as the FSB determined that before the attack on Crocus, they pledged allegiance to the terrorist group Wilayat Khorasan, which is part of Islamic State  (IS) terror group.

Other defendants, who, according to the investigation, acted as accomplices to the attackers, have also been formally charged.

A group of terrorists stormed Crocus City Hall on March 22, 2024, just before a concert by the band Piknik.  They opened fire on visitors and set the venue on fire. The attack resulted in the deaths of 146 people and left over 500 injured.  The perpetrators attempted to flee by car but were apprehended in the Bryansk region.

A total of 2,200 people have been recognized as victims in the case.