Achi news desk-
Russia’s Children’s Rights Ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova presented an award on Tuesday to a 15-year-old Muslim boy who saved more than 100 people during last week’s shooting at a concert hall in the Moscow region.
Lvova-Belova arrived at the school where Islam Khalilov studies and in a solemn atmosphere presented him with a diploma “for dedication, courage and personal courage.”
The youngster worked part-time at the Crocus City Hall concert venue as a cloakroom assistant and was on duty when the shooting happened.
The boy saw people panicking, unable to understand where to go and what to do to save their lives and he took charge. He announced loudly that he was a worker, that he knew where those who existed were, and pointed out the way.
Khalilov wanted to make sure no one was left behind even though he was in mortal danger.
Speaking at the ceremony, he attributed his action to the way he was brought up.
“Dad always said if you can help in any way, always help people,” he said.
The youth also said that many people have been writing to him on social media, thanking him for saving the lives of their relatives.
“It’s amazing how children who needed saving themselves helped people,” said Lvova-Belova.
At least 139 people were killed and more than 180 injured on March 22 when gunmen opened fire at the Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Oblast.
The Investigative Committee said it had detained 11 people, including four perpetrators, in the Bryansk border region, who were on their way to Ukraine.
Moscow’s Basmanny District Court charged the four criminals late on Sunday with terrorism and approved their pre-trial detention until May 22.
