Russia steps up probe into attack claimed by IS
AFP
MOSCOW: Russia said Sunday that a stabbing which injured seven people and was claimed by the Islamic State group is being probed by top investigators in Moscow, as new details emerged, reports AFP.
IS claimed responsibility for the attack in the remote city of Surgut along with the attacks in Spain that killed 14 through its Amaq propaganda agency, calling the attacker a soldier of the Islamic State.
A black-clad attacker in a balaclava ranged through central streets of the city around 2,100 kilometres (1,330 miles) northeast of Moscow on Saturday morning, stabbing people apparently at random before being shot by police.
Russia, which initially said the theory of terrorism was not the main one being considered, has opened a criminal probe into attempted murder and has not reacted officially to the IS claim.
The Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said in a statement on Sunday that due to the wide public reaction, its chief Alexander Bastrykin has put the case directly under control of its central apparatus in Moscow.
