Police and Federal Security Service (FSB) officials detained a Moscow region resident who allegedly made 26 false bomb threats by telephone over the past two months, the RIA Novosti news agency reported Wednesday.
“Criminal investigation officers, the FSB and our colleagues from the [Russian Interior Ministry's] Center for Extremism Prevention have detained at his place of residence a 42-year-old man suspected of making 26 telephone calls to the police since October, with reports of explosive devices [planted in various buildings and institutions],” a spokesperson for the Moscow City Police was quoted as saying.
“A search was carried out, and mobile phones and SIM cards used to make the calls were confiscated,” the spokesperson said.
The “telephone terrorist” was unable to explain his actions, and has been charged with “falsely reporting acts of terrorism.” He faces up to three years in prison, RIA Novosti reported.
