In a recent development, Tajikistan's state security service has reportedly detained nine individuals for their alleged contact with the perpetrators behind the tragic attack at a suburban Moscow concert hall last week. According to Russian state media, these individuals, who are residents of the Vakhdat district, are suspected of having connections not only with the attackers but also with the extremist group ISIL (ISIS).

The news, reported by RIA Novosti, cited information from an unnamed source within Tajikistan's special services, suggesting that Russian security forces were also involved in the operation to arrest the suspects. Alongside these detentions, a Moscow court has charged another suspect, named Lutfulloi Nazrimad, in connection to the concert hall attack. The court has ruled that Nazrimad be held in custody until at least May 22, pending further investigation and trial.

Mediazona, a Russian independent news site, noted that Nazrimad revealed during the court hearing that he was born in Tajikistan. Reportedly, he has been charged with conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism and has pleaded guilty to some of the charges, according to his lawyer.

With the addition of Nazrimad, this brings the total number of suspects facing court proceedings to nine. At a separate hearing, four of the suspects, all Tajik nationals, appeared in a Moscow court and presented visible signs of severe beatings. One of them seemed barely conscious during the proceedings.

Furthermore, Russia's Investigative Committee announced on Thursday that they had apprehended another suspect in relation to the concert hall attack. This individual is suspected of being involved in financing the assault, although no further details about their identity or actions were revealed.

The attack at the concert hall, which claimed the lives of 144 people, was claimed by a faction of ISIL. However, Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have persistently accused Ukraine and the West of involvement in the attack. Al Jazeera's Moscow correspondent, Dorsa Jabbari, highlighted that these detentions coincide with Russia's investigative committee claiming to possess undisclosed evidence linking funds received in cash and cryptocurrency from Ukrainian individuals or nationals to the attackers.

In response, Ukraine has vehemently denied any involvement and accused Moscow of using these allegations as a pretext to escalate the conflict in Ukraine. As the death toll from the concert hall attack continues to rise, reaching 144, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko confirmed that on Friday, another victim succumbed to their severe injuries in a hospital.

The investigation into this horrific attack is ongoing as authorities work to unravel the full extent of the connections and motives behind the assault.