After the tragic terrorist attack on the Crocus Town Hall near Moscow that resulted in over 130 deaths, security concerns in Russia have increased.
Sergei Mironov, who heads the Spravedlivaya Rossiya party, has proposed implementing a visa system for Central Asian countries to tackle the growing threat, VisaGuide.World reports.
Mironov, who also heads the Truth party faction in the Russian State Duma, believes that establishing a visa regime with Central Asian states would strengthen national security and promote positive cooperation between Russia and its southern neighbors.
Everyone sees that Russia is drawn into a tough military confrontation. Our enemies take advantage of open borders and use neighboring states as a springboard for preparing subversive activities against our country.
He further said that the threat also extends to neighboring countries, where terrorists and extremist groups gather. Ending visa-free travel is, therefore, a move towards increased security and cooperation across the Eurasian region.
SRZP Faction Calls for Visa Measures Amid Regional Security Concerns
The parliamentarian emphasized that the Socialist Political Party “A Just Russia—Patriots—For Truth (SRZP) faction suggests a series of actions to increase control over migration processes, initially focusing on implementing a visa system with Central Asian countries.
Without this, maintaining order at the border, essential for managing migration and deterring terrorist activities, will be highly challenging, he claims.
On Sunday, four men accused of a deadly attack on a concert hall in Russia that killed more than 130 individuals appeared in a Moscow court to face terrorism charges. Identified as Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev (32), Saidakrami Rachabalizoda (30), Shamsidin Fariduni (25) and Mukhammadsobir Faizov (19), they are charged with committing a terrorist attack resulting in death, an offense punishable by life imprisonment. The attack, attributed to a branch of the Islamic State group, marked the deadliest incident on Russian soil in recent years.
Putin Claims Terrorists Fleeing to Ukraine
Russian authorities arrested the four suspects on Saturday, and President Vladimir Putin revealed that seven more people were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the attack during a national address on Saturday night.
Putin tried to link the attack to Ukraine, claiming the attackers were caught trying to escape there. However, Kyiv has strongly denied any connection to the incident.
Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the National Security Council, stated that according to intelligence received by the United States, ISIS acted alone in carrying out the attack. She emphasized that there was no involvement from Ukraine whatsoever.