Italy has denounced the terrorist assault at a suburban Moscow concert hall and bolstered security measures at vital transportation hubs, cultural landmarks, and religious sites nationwide.
According to the Investigative Committee of Russia, the attack on Friday resulted in the deaths of at least 133 individuals and left over 100 injured.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni labelled the incident “the massacre of innocent civilians,” emphasizing the Italian government’s unequivocal condemnation of this barbaric act of terrorism.
President Sergio Mattarella expressed solidarity with the attack’s victims, urging global unity in the fight against terrorism.
Italy’s Ministry of the Interior announced on Saturday the elevation of security levels at “sensitive” locations in Rome and other urban centres, including airports, railway stations, and significant cultural and religious venues.
Additionally, the ministry disclosed plans for a special session on Monday to assess potential risks following the Moscow attack.
The Interfax news agency reported on Saturday that the Russian Federal Security Service informed President Vladimir Putin about the arrest of 11 individuals following an attack near Moscow on Friday, which resulted in casualties.
The agency stated that four of the arrested were directly involved in the attack, and efforts are ongoing to track down more accomplices.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the terrorist attack in Moscow “in the strongest terms,” according to his spokesperson Farhan Haq.
Chinese President Xi Jinping offered his condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin, asserting that “China opposes terrorism in all its forms and strongly condemns the terrorist attack, supporting the Russian government’s efforts to maintain security and stability.”
