Chechen man arrested after Moscow terrorist attack reportedly dies in police custody

Chechen native Askhab Uspanov, who was arrested in Moscow on March 22 following the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall, died in police custody a few hours later, reports Agenstvo, citing his mother, Taisa Uspanova.

According to her, Uspanov was arrested at a bus stop while he was on his way to visit his wife at her workplace. When his wife arrived at the police station two hours later, she was informed that her husband “was no longer alive.”

Taisa Uspanova said that her son was buried in Chechnya.

Chechen opposition Telegram channel 1ADAT also reported on Uspanov’s death. 1ADAT wrote that masked individuals attacked Uspanov at a bus stop, and he, not understanding they were law enforcement, “resisted.” According to 1ADAT, Uspanov was tortured after his arrest: his spine and ribs were broken, and his body was covered in bruises and showed signs of strangulation.

1ADAT also stated that security forces staged Uspanov’s suicide by hanging. His mother told Agenstvo that her son would not have harmed himself.