Russian president briefs Belarusian counterpart on detention of perpetrators involved in Moscow attack

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin informed his Belarusian counterpart Aleksandr Lukashenko about the arrest of perpetrators of Friday's attack at a concert hall in the Moscow region that killed at least 115 people, the Kremlin said on Saturday.

Lukashenko expressed his deep condolences, conveyed words of support and sympathy to the families of the victims and wished for a speedy recovery to the injured in the shooting in the Crocus City Hall, the statement said.

The Belarusian leader emphasized that "the citizens of Belarus stand in solidarity with the people of Russia in this sad hour."

"Any necessary assistance was offered. Alexander Lukashenko expressed confidence in the inevitability of punishment of the organizers and perpetrators of this bloody crime," it said.

Putin briefed Lukashenko on the detention of the terrorists directly involved in the attack, as well as on progress of the investigation.

In a separate statement, the Kremlin said Putin also discussed the latest developments around the shooting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Gunmen opened fire late Friday as rock band Picnic was about to perform at the venue just west of Moscow. The terrorists also used flammable liquid to set the hall on fire, which spread at a huge area of almost 13,000 square meters.

Russian authorities have arrested 11 people in connection with the attack, including four directly involved, according to the Federal Security Service.