The Second Western District Military Court of Russia on Monday held the first substantive trial of the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in 2024.
The terrorist attack took place on March 22, 2024, at the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow, followed by a massive fire.
The indictment released by the Russian Prosecutor General's Office on July 1 showed that the incident caused 147 deaths, three people are still missing and two remain at large.
Ivan is a staff member at the Crocus City Concert Hall. He recalled the chaotic scenes after the attack took place.
"The last thing I remember [about the attack] is the unprecedented number of ambulances. I have never seen so many in my life," he said.
By 11:00 Monday Moscow time , the initial investigation and procedural review of the case were completed, and the case entered the discretionary phase, involving witness questioning, prosecution and defense statements, and debate.
For the first 20 minutes of the court session, reporters were allowed to record the proceedings via video, marking the first time the trial was open to the media.
According to Russian federal law, criminal trials are generally conducted in public. However, for cases that have caused major social repercussions, such as terrorist attacks, the court may hold the trial in closed session, but the verdict must still be announced publicly.
The indictment reveals that several defendants are in ways connected to terrorist organizations and Ukraine. Igor Trunov, attorney for victims of the terrorist attack, said that the trial will last at least a year, partly because the chain of evidence involves multiple countries.
"Among the defendants, the direct perpetrators of the terrorist attack are essentially mercenaries who were promised huge rewards exceeding one million rubles. The money was promised to be paid within Ukraine," he said.
The case will be tried on Aug 4, 5 and 7 according to the court's announcement, but the trials on Aug 5 and 7 will not be open to the media.
Russian court starts substantive trial of Moscow concert hall terror attack
Russian court starts substantive trial of Moscow concert hall terror attack
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
