FSB reports prevention of terror acts in Northern Caucasus

In four regions of southern Russia, a total of 19 people have been detained who had planned terror acts in Northern Caucasus; extremist materials, weapons and ammunition have been seized from them, the Russian FSB (Federal Security Bureau) has reported today.

According to the FSB, the detainees are supporters of the "interregional extremist community" entitled "At-Takfir val-Hijra" (ATVKh*), a terrorist grouping banned in Russia by the court. "In February 2021, 19 radicals have been detained in the Karachay-Cherkessia, Republic of Crimea, Krasnodar Territory and Rostov Region, who, in addition to promoting their ideology and recruiting new supporters, had planned committing acts of sabotage and terror acts in Northern Caucasus on behalf of the ATVKh*," the RIA "Novosti" quotes an FSB's message.

According to an FSB official, during searches "in the places of residence and secret gatherings of the detainees" security agents seized more than 40 extremist materials; and in the forest in Karachay-Cherkessia they found a cache with a machine gun, an AKM submachine gun, ammunition and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) of a total weight of more than 3 kg in TNT equivalent, "including the so-called suicide belt stuffed with striking elements."

*By the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of September 15, 2010, the religious association "At-Takfir val-Hijra" (Atonement and Exodus) was recognized as extremist; its activities in Russia are prohibited

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on February 17, 2021 at 10:30 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.