Photo of the alleged suicide attacker run by Russian state television.
Kyrgyzstan’s security officials have identified the St. Petersburg terrorist as Akbarzhon Jalilov, who is believed to be a suicide bomber who perished in the explosion.
His name is sometimes spelled Akbarjon Djalilov, according to CNN. BBC reports he is said to have ties to “radical Islam.”
The horrific attack on the Russian subway cost the lives of 11 people and injured 45, according to the BBC.
BBC reported Russian President Vladimir Putin was in St. Petersburg, where he is from, when the attack occurred. The city has now plunged into several days of mourning.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Jalilov Was a Russian Citizen From Kyrgyzstan, a Mostly Muslim Country That Is a Russian Ally, Reports Say
The Russian state news agency reported of the alleged suicide bomber Jalilov, “It is reported that the alleged suicide bomber was a Russian citizen and had a Russian passport.” However, CNN reported that Jalilov “is a Kyrgyzstan national.”
The Guardian reports that “the likely suspect in a deadly blast in the Russian city of St. Petersburg is a Kyrgyz-born Russian citizen, Kyrgyzstan’s security service has said.”
#StPetersburg metro bomb attack suspect named as Kyrgyz-born Russian citizen Akbarzhon Jalilov, Kyrgyzstan intelligence agency says
According to the Guardian, “Kyrgyzstan, a predominantly Muslim central Asian state of 6 million, is Russia’s close political ally and hosts a Russian military airbase.”
2. Citizen Video Captured the Grisly Aftermath of the Bombing
Video captured at the scene shows victims lying on the ground near a train. Among the dead, according to the Mirror, a mother who “selflessly threw herself over her daughter’s body, saving her life.” Another victim’s head was ripped off by the blast, the Mirror reported. That had led to speculation he might be the suicide bomber at first, but it was discounted, according to The Mirror.
Photos also captured the suspect.
Another man’s photo was circulated by Russian media, but he denies involvement. According to News.comau, describing one of the graphic videos, “dozens of people are pulled from the wreckage of the train — many of them seriously injured and bleeding — as confused and terrified screams can be heard in the background.”
3. Another Larger Device Was Found in Another Station
An injured man is helped by medics outside Technological Institute metro station in St. Petersburg. (Getty)
According to News.comau, the blast occurred “as the train was travelling between Sennaya Ploshchad and Tekhnologichesky Institut stations.”
Forty-five people were injured in the blast, and 11 died, according to Reuters.
CNN reported that a larger device was found hidden in a fire extinguisher in another station, but it was defused. It carried a kilogram of TNT, according to the network.
4. Jalilov Had Ties to ‘Radical Islam’ & Was Identified Through His Remains
Police and emergency services personnel carry an injured person on a stretcher outside Technological Institute metro station in St. Petersburg. (Getty)
BBC says the suicide attacker was identified through his remains because he perished in the attack.
The 23-year-old man is from Central Asia and is “known to have links to radical Islam,” reported BBC, citing news reports. However, there has been confusion about suspects in the attack, according to BBC, which said some reports indicate a woman might have been involved.
Russian officials labeled the bombing a terrorist attack, but no one has claimed responsibility, and it’s not clear whether the attacker was tied to ISIS, CNN reported.
According to the Mirror, “It was also reported today that Russian security services knew about a possible attack in St Petersburg and were tracking suspected bombers. A Russian source in ISIS, detained returning from Syria, had given several identities of suspects, and their mobile numbers.”
5. President Trump Called Putin & Pledged to Crack Down on Terrorism
(Photo by Ron Sachs – Pool/Getty Images)
The White House released a statement that said President Donald Trump had called Vladimir Putin after the St. Petersburg attack. Trump and Putin agreed that “terrorism must be decisively and quickly defeated,” the White House press release on the phone call says.
The White House says the April 3 call focused on terrorism.
“President Trump expressed his deepest condolences to the victims and their loved ones, and to the Russian people,” the White House press release says of the April 3 Trump-Putin phone call. “President Trump offered the full support of the United States Government in responding to the attack and bringing those responsible to justice. Both President Trump and President Putin agreed that terrorism must be decisively and quickly defeated.”