Criminal cases have been launched against hundreds of Russian citizens suspected of having joined the ranks of terrorist organizations abroad, RIA Novosti reported Monday.
"At present, criminal cases have been launched with respect to 300 people," Vladimir Makarov, deputy head of the Interior Ministry's anti-extremism department, said in comments carried by RIA Novosti.
The organizations at issue include Hizb ut-Tahrir and the Islamic State, according to the report.
Waging a savvy and high-tech propaganda campaign online, the Islamic State has proved adept at seducing young men and women across Europe into abandoning their homes and families and joining its violent crusade in Iraq and Syria.
Russia is no exception. Some 1,500 natives of Russia's predominantly Muslim North Caucasus are currently fighting alongside the Islamic State and other militant groups in Syria and Iraq, the Kremlin's envoy for the North Caucasus, Sergei Melikov, was cited as saying Thursday by Russian media.
Nor does the Islamic State's recruitment drive toward Russians appear to be letting up. Last Tuesday, a Russian-language guide offering practical advice on how to join the Islamic State appeared on leading Russian social network site VKontakte.
Advice includes how to travel unhindered from Russia to Turkey — the relay point for crossing into Syria — with guidance on how to answer difficult questions from border guards, and where to shop for military gear.
Russia's Supreme Court designated the Islamic State and Jabhat an-Nusra — a branch of al-Qaida operating in Syria and Lebanon — terrorist organizations in December last year, and have strictly outlawed any form of involvement in their operations.
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.