Deranged Vladimir Putin henchman outrageously claims UK behind Moscow terror attack

By Ciaran McGrath, Senior News Reporter

The Crocus City Hall on fire after the attack (Image: GETTY)

Russian security chief Alexander Bortnikov has claimed the UK is responsible for Friday's terror attack in Crocus City Hall in Moscow in an unhinged rant. At least 139 people died in the attack, responsibility for which has been claimed by ISIS.

However, following similar remarks by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Bortnikov accused Britain, together with the USA and Ukraine, of being behind it.

Russia has provided no evidence to back up the allegations.

In remarks attributed to him by Russian state news agency Tass, FSB director Bortnikov said it was "true" that the terror threat remained.

He also claimed terrorist attacks in regions bordering Ukraine and other regions of Russia, organized by Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

Russian President Vladimir Putin (Image: Getty)

He insisted: "This was last year and is happening now."

Branding the SBU a "terrorist organistion, he said: "I believe that this is a reason enough not only to consider it this way, but also to make appropriate decisions."

Twenty-two victims of the Russia concert hall attack that killed more than 130 people remain in serious condition in the hospital, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said today, also according to Tass. Two of them are children, it said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that the gunmen are “radical Islamists,” but despite all evidence pointing to the involvement of Islamic State, Putin repeated his accusation that Ukraine could have played a role. Kyiv has strongly denied any link to the attack.

Four men accused of carrying out the attack appeared before a Moscow court on Sunday on terrorism charges and showed signs of severe beatings. One appeared to be barely conscious during the hearing.

The men are citizens of Tajikistan, authorities said, and were named by investigators as Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, 32; Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, 30; Shamsidin Fariduni, 25; and Mukhammadsobir Faizov, 19.

They were charged with committing a terrorist attack resulting in the death of others. The offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Russian officials said they detained a total of 11 people over the attack. Another of those detained appeared in court Monday. Alisher Kasimov, a citizen of Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia, was charged over renting an apartment to the men accused of carrying out the attack.

Express.co.uk has contacted the FCDO about Bortnikov's claims.