Russia: Four arrested on terrorism charges August 14

Event

On Monday, August 14, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed to have arrested four suspected terrorist and shut down a bomb-making laboratory in the Moscow region.

According to the Russian intelligence service, the suspects, including an emissary from the Islamic State (IS), are part of a terrorist organization responsible for connecting Russian nationals to counterparts in Central Asian countries. The group was reportedly plotting a series of attacks in Moscow’s public spaces and transport system.

Context

Russia has been on high alert since a suicide bomb killed 15 people in Saint-Petersburg on April 3, leading police to execute a number of arrests. Recently, on July 27, seven Central Asian nationals were detained for allegedly planning terrorist attacks.  

Since the start of its military intervention in Syria, Russia – a strong ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad – has been under increasing threat from IS terrorist attacks and by the Syrian faction of Al-Qa’ida.

Advice

Due to the underlying terrorist threat in Russia, individuals are advised to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities.