Russian Authorities Arrest Terrorists Planning to Attack Churches in the North Caucasus
Russian security forces during an anti-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus, Aug. 2024. Photo: X/ @MayeM358
August 28, 2024 Hour: 8:31 am
In June, several extremists attacked churches, synagogues, and police posts in the cities of Makhachkala and Derbent.
On Wednesday, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced the arrest of six individuals who were planning attacks on churches in the Republic of Ingushetia, in the North Caucasus.
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“Six local residents, Russian citizens, followers of an international terrorist organization banned in Russia, were identified and detained. They were preparing sabotage and terrorist actions against local law enforcement officers and religious institutions,” the FSB stated.
These terrorists were captured during a police operation conducted in the city of Nazran and the village of Kantyshevo. Among the targets of the terrorists was the Church of the Holy Virgin’s Veil in the city of Sunzha.
During searches of the detainees’ homes, homemade bombs, components for their manufacture, bladed and firearms, symbols of the terrorist organization, and electronic data carriers with “instructions for carrying out combat actions” were found.
“The detainees have already confessed to their involvement,” the FSB announced, and released a video with excerpts from the interrogation of one of the detainees, who admitted to having communications with radical Islamists, some of whom are in Syria.
The regional branch of Russia’s Investigative Committee reported that criminal cases were initiated against three local residents for participation in a terrorist organization and preparation for committing a terrorist attack. Criminal cases were also opened against three other detainees for the acquisition and possession of explosives or explosive devices.
The most recent series of terrorist attacks in the North Caucasus took place at the end of June when several extremists attacked multiple churches, synagogues, and police posts in the cities of Makhachkala and Derbent in the Russian region of Dagestan. During the clashes between radicals and the police, 22 people were killed, including 15 police officers, a National Guard officer, and five attackers.
teleSUR/ JF Source: Xinhua