Authorities in Moscow say they have detained a suspected member of the Islamic State terrorist group who previously fought in Syria, Interfax reported Wednesday, citing an unidentified source in the security services.
The suspect was detained several days ago for questioning over his activities in Syria from the end of last year to early 2014, the source was cited as saying, adding that authorities believed he was fighting alongside the Islamic State during that time.
A criminal case has been opened against him on charges of participating in an illegal armed group, and he faces up to 10 years behind bars on the charges, the report said.
No further details were provided.
The news follows a video warning from members of the radical militant group to President Vladimir Putin on Sept. 3 in which they threatened to wreak havoc in Russia. They vowed to "free" the turbulent North Caucasus, which for years has battled a simmering Islamic insurgency of its own.
Russia's Federal Security Service has estimated that hundreds of Russian nationals, many from the North Caucasus, have gone to Syria to fight since the beginning of the conflict in 2011.
In late August, Foreign Ministry official Ilya Rogachyov warned that the Islamic State's radical ideology, based on a seventh-century form of Islam, could prove appealing to some groups 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.
