26/03/24
UK 'lone wolf' terror attacks more likely after Moscow massacre, warns former intelligence officer
Lone-wolf attacks against the UK are more likely in the wake of the concert hall massacre in Moscow, a former intelligence officer warns.
The threat of violence is heightened after gunmen killed at least 130 people in an attack at the Russian capital’s Crocus City Hall venue on Friday. Islamic State Khorasan claimed responsibility for the attack and one ex-intelligence officer told the Daily Mirror: “This particular branch of Islamic State has proved to be resourceful and ruthless.
“They appear to be trying new methods and will be actively trying to radicalise and talent-spot new recruits in the UK on the internet. The threat to the UK may be different than that to continental Europe, as Islamic State could target lone-wolf types online.”
ISK said it would attack Russia again after four suspects were paraded in court with obvious injuries. The suspects, all Tajikistanis, were bruised and one with a bandaged head is thought to have lost an ear. One was brought in on a stretcher.
Islamic State said: “To all brutal Russians, including Putin: Broadcasting videos of prisoners being tortured by you has increased the thirst of thousands of brothers for your blood.”
ISK, based in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and Turkmenistan, is increasingly attacking Europe, an ex-FBI terror expert also said. Ali Soufan said: “The Moscow attack is another sign that Islamic State’s Afghan branch is rebuilding its external operations capability and remains perhaps the most potent of all Islamic State’s affiliates and branches that comprise its global network.”
He added: “ISK has also been linked to a growing number of European plots, including one earlier this month where two individuals were arrested in Germany for planning a terrorist attack on Sweden’s parliament.”
After warnings from its DGSE spy agency, France has put itself on the highest threat level. Italy has also raised its alert status.
The UK’s remains at the less-urgent level of “substantial” – two notches below the highest level, “critical”, but it does mean that agents think an attack is likely.
Moscow’s Basmanny District Court has put terrorism charges to Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, 32, Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, 30, Muhammadsobir Fayzov, 19, and Shamsidin Fariduni, 25. The offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Court officials said Mirzoyev and Rachabalizoda admitted guilt. The court ordered that all four be held in pre-trial custody until May 22. The hearing came as Russia observed a national day of mourning to remember victims of the concert hall attack.
The shooting, during which gunmen also used bombs to start a fire, was the deadliest on Russian soil in years. It has been suggested the men were recruited via the Telegram message system and invited to earn up to £10,000 each for carrying out the killings. If true, it means ISK has begun hiring mercenaries at arm’s length, a new recruitment strategy for the group.
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