The Islamic State group (IS) has reactivated its networks in Central Asia. That has become apparent in the aftermath of the incredibly deadly attack – at least 139 people were killed according to the official death toll – perpetrated on Friday, March 22, at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Moscow, which was claimed by the regional IS branch based in Afghanistan, known as Islamic State Khorasan Province (IS-K).

Among the presumed perpetrators of the attack – the precise number of which has still not been established – were several people of Tajik nationality or heritage. Shamsidin Fariduni, Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, Saidakrami Murodali Rachabalizoda and Mukhammadsobir Fayzov – all of whom lived and worked in Russia – were arrested by Russian security forces more than 300 kilometers from Moscow, several hours after the attack.

According to Radio Svoboda – the Russian-language service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty – Fayzov, 19, was an apprentice in a barbershop in the Ivanovo region, and Fariduni, 25, worked in a flooring factory and lived in Krasnogorsk, where the Crocus City Hall is located. All four were remanded in custody on Sunday, following a hearing at Moscow's Basmanny court; where they appeared to have been physically battered, their faces swollen and bloodstained.

IS-K has claimed responsibility for the attack on two occasions. Amaq, the IS-linked media outlet usually used to claim its attacks, has also broadcast a video taken by the assailants on its Telegram channel, in which they can be seen inside the concert hall opening fire on spectators. Despite this, Vladimir Putin has continued, without any proof, to blame the attack on Ukraine – which Kyiv has categorically denied.

On Monday, March 25, a new signal from IS-K claiming responsibility for the attack came to light: A propaganda poster written in several languages (Pashto, Persian, Uzbek, English, and Russian) was disseminated on the group's affiliated social media platforms. The poster promises new attacks against "all cruel Russians, including Putin," in retaliation for their "savagery" and the torture inflicted by Russian security forces on the four alleged perpetrators of the attack, whom the poster recognized as members of the organization.

IS-K has been particularly focusing its propaganda aimed at people from Central Asia. Tajik Uzbek, Turkmen, and Kyrgyz nationals make up a large part of its membership. Its messages have been broadcast in several languages, including Persian – the language spoken by most Tajik people – as well as Uzbek and Russian. These have been propagated by the al-Azaim Media Foundation, which produces media content, notably on its Telegram channel.

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