19 Chechen residents joining Syrian militants detected by MIA in 2016

In 2016, 19 local residents left for Syria to join terrorist organizations. In total, more than 600 residents of Chechnya can stay in Syria now. Of them, more than 340 people are put on the international wanted list. This was reported by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).

"According to the operative information, for the 12 months of the past year, 19 people left the republic for Syria to join terrorist organizations. All those people have been identified," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by an official from the Chechen MIA.

The MIA's official has also noted about 300 criminal cases instituted on suspicion of involvement of Chechen residents in the ranks of militants in Syria.

According to the Chechen MIA's official, most natives of Chechnya, who stay in Syria now, left the republic in the period from 2013 till 2015.

"In comparison with earlier years, the number of residents of the republic who joined terrorist groupings has reduced by times. This occurred largely due to preventive work with the population and operational activities," emphasized the Chechen MIA's official.

He has also noted that after the events in Grozny and the Kurchaloi District, the law enforcement bodies have enhanced the work "in all directions."

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.