Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said Monday it has detained eight residents of the republic of Bashkortostan over an alleged plot to sabotage mobile phone infrastructure, state media reported Monday.
According to the FSB, a resident of Salavat reportedly contacted an unidentified person via Telegram to earn money. That person allegedly told him to set fire to local cell towers and damage fiber-optic cables.
The “customer” decided on the target locations and required the suspect to send video “confirmation” of the sabotage, the FSB said without providing evidence.
The man then allegedly recruited another person, who in turn involved six acquaintances to carry out the supposed plan, according to the intelligence agency.
The statement said all eight were detained as they attempted to damage the telecom equipment.
A video shared by the state-run news agency TASS, via the FSB, showed the eight alleged accomplices inside a courtroom with their faces blurred. At least one of them appeared to be a young woman.
Unlike previous FSB videos, the footage did not include on-camera confessions by those detained, making it unclear whether they pleaded guilty or not. Instead, the minute-long video showed an FSB agent escorting the group out of a courthouse and into an unmarked van.
Authorities have opened a criminal case on attempted sabotage, which is punishable by up to life imprisonment. The investigation is ongoing.
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.
