GENEVA: Members of parliaments from dozens of countries, including Western ones, have expressed their condolences to Russia and stand in so...
GENEVA: Members of parliaments from dozens of countries, including Western ones, have expressed their condolences to Russia and stand in solidarity with the country after the terrorist attack in Krasnogorsk, Federation Council Deputy Speaker Konstantin Kosachev, who heads the Russian parliamentary delegation at the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) taking place in Geneva, told TASS.
"Here lies an atmosphere of unanimous condemnation of terrorists, rejection of terrorism itself and, of course, sincere sympathy and condolences to the Russian people," he said, emphasizing that solidarity and condolences were expressed to the Russian people by "dozens of delegations." This included representatives of all IPU geopolitical groups. Condolences and support for Russia were expressed on March 23 by participants of integration associations meetings - the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), and BRICS. "Delegations approached us again in the plenary session hall on March 24. They included representatives of the Netherlands and Great Britain, a number of other countries, including NATO and EU members," the deputy speaker continued. "Solidarity with the people of Russia in this difficult situation is above any considerations related to current political stances," he added.
Kosachev added that the Russian delegation "failed to obtain an official statement from the Inter-Parliamentary Union" on the terrorist attack in Krasnogorsk. According to him, this is due to "intrigues at the administrative level." "We have had several meetings with IPU President Tulia Ackson and Secretary General Martin Chungong. They refer to some procedural obstacles, saying that the agenda has already been agreed, all the documents have been discussed, and the executive committee, which would be authorized to make statements on behalf of the entire assembly, will not convene," the agency source explained.
"The minute of silence that took place on March 24 was dedicated to all the tragic events, including those of a terrorist nature, that have taken place in the world since the previous assembly was held, giving no particular attention to the tragedy in the Moscow Region," Kosachev continued. "This frankly disappoints us, and I have already brought this to the attention of the IPU president and secretary general," he added.
Against this background, the Russian delegation took the initiative to prepare a written declaration on the terrorist attack in Krasnogorsk. "Such a document will not become official within the IPU, but it will be submitted to the secretariat with a request to distribute it, to publish it," Kosachev summarized.
On the evening of March 22, a terrorist attack targeted the Crocus City Hall music venue in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Region, just over the Moscow city limits. According to the Russian Investigative Committee, the current death toll is 137, but may rise. The Moscow Region Health Ministry said that 182 people were injured.
Eleven individuals suspected of being involved in the terrorist attack have been apprehended, including four gunmen who were detained in the Bryansk Region, southwest of Moscow, as they attempted to seek refuge by crossing the nearby Ukrainian border. The four have been placed in custody.
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