A Moscow university student who fled to Turkey in June in an alleged bid to join the Islamic State will not face criminal charges in Russia, RIA Novosti reported Thursday.
Varvara Karaulova, a 19-year-old philosophy student at Moscow State University, was detained by Turkish authorities and Interpol officers in a town near the Syrian border last month.
After being questioned in Turkey, she was sent back to Moscow amid mounting rumors that she may face criminal justice at home.
Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin announced Thursday that a probe into the affair had wrapped up, and that investigators had decided not to pursue a criminal case against the teen, RIA Novosti reported.
The report did not explain the reasons for the investigators' decision.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.