Security forces in Kyrgyzstan have reportedly detained a terrorist planning to organize an attack in Russia on New Year's.
Earlier in December, Russia’s FSB said it had prevented Islamic State terrorist attacks planned for New Year’s celebrations and presidential election events in Moscow.
Kyrgyzstan's National Security Committee (GKNB) told the Interfax news agency on Friday that the suspect, a national of an unnamed post-Soviet republic, had been detained on Wednesday.
“Having received an assignment from the leaders of a terrorist organization, he crossed the Syrian-Turkish border with the purpose of subsequent entry into Russia,” a GKNB spokesperson said.
The security force did not specify which Russian city the suspected terrorist was planning to attack, the RBC business portal reported.
Members of a “special subversive and terrorist group” were sent to post-Soviet countries to carry out attacks during the New Year holidays, the Kyrgyz security service added.
The suspect — identified only by the initials D.U. — testified to having received training on operating explosives at a terrorist camp in Syria, the GKNB said in a statement on its website.
Islamic State is a terrorist organization banned in Russia.
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.
