Death penalty returns to debate in Russia: “Fighting death with death”

Following Friday’s terrorist attack in Moscow, several Russian political figures brought up the debate on the reintroduction of the death penalty in Russia – suspended since the 1990s.

The four alleged attackers at a concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow that caused at least 182 dead They were sentenced to preventive detention for two months, a court in the Russian capital ruled.

According to the Associated Press, three of these four men admitted guilt in court.

The four men are accused of “terrorism” and risk life imprisonmentthe Basmanny court in Moscow indicated in a statement.

With this episode, the death penalty debate is back to public space.

Prohibited in that country since 1996, the death penalty is once again seen by some as a solution to combat this type of phenomenon.

Although the Kremlin has already assured that it would not be part of this discussion, several allies of President Vladimir Putin suggest that the idea be considered again.

Former Russian President and Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedevdefended the idea of “fight death with death” – as Antena 1 mentions.

Also Vladimir Vassilievleader of the government party in the Parliamentary Lower House, considers this to be a subject that deserves to be explored further.

The Russian person responsible for security issues Yuri Afonin also supports this position, saying “when it comes to terrorism and the murder of people, We need to restore the law which authorizes the death penalty.”

Deadliest attack in recent years

According to Russian authorities, security forces have so far detained 11 people in connection with the attack, four of whom personally participated in the attack.

The attack, claimed by a group affiliated with the ‘jihadist’ movement Islamic State (IS), was the deadliest on Russian soil the last few years.

The death toll in the attack rose to 182, including at least three children, according to the latest official report, with weapons and ammunition found at the scene.

The Moscow Region Health Department also indicated that 101 people remain hospitalized, 61 are receiving outpatient treatment and 20 have been discharged, in a total of 182 injured.

Russia today experienced a day of national mourning for the victims of this attack on the outskirts of Moscow. Since the beginning of the day, citizens have been bringing flowers to the site of the attack, in the city of Krasnogorsk, with the Russian flags at all state institutions at half mast.

The attack was claimed by the Islamic State (IS) and condemned by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who called it a terrorist act. “barbaric and bloody” and called for revenge.

Although he did not speculate on the intellectual authors of the attack, he suggested that four of those detained were trying to cross the border into Ukraine, which, according to the Russian leader, tried to create a “window” to help them escape.

Ukrainian authorities have denied any involvement in the attack and a US intelligence source told the Associated Press that US agencies confirmed the group was responsible for the attack.

According to a statement from ISIS – an entity qualified by the White House as a “common terrorist enemy” – Friday’s attack falls within the context of the “violent war” between the group and “countries that fight against Islam”.

This Sunday, France announced the reinforcement of the country’s security plan to the highest level following the attack in Moscow.