Moscow attackers previously attempted attacks in France: Macron

By Nur Asena Erturk

The group of attackers who killed at least 137 people in Moscow last week previously attempted attacks in France, the French president said Monday.

“This particular group seemingly involved in this attack undertook several attempts in our territory in the last months,” Emmanuel Macron told reporters in Cayenne, the capital of French Guiana.

“It would be cynical and counterproductive for Russia, and the security of its citizens, to use this context to try and turn it against Ukraine,” Macron added.

He reiterated France’s solidarity with the Russian people and recalled that the French government, based on credible information, decided to raise its terror alert to its highest level on Sunday, following a Defense Security Council meeting held at Elysee Palace.

With the Daesh/ISIS terrorist group claiming responsibility for the attack “and the threats weighing on our country, we have decided to raise the Vigipirate posture to its highest level: attack emergency,” French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced on X on Sunday.

At least 137 people were killed and over 180 others injured after gunmen on Friday opened fire when rock band Picnic was about to perform at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow region.

The Daesh/ISIS group claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Investigative Committee said it detained 11 people, including four perpetrators, in the border region of Bryansk on their way to Ukraine.

Moscow's Basmanny district court late Sunday charged the four perpetrators for terrorism and approved their pre-trial detention until May 22.