International extremist groups are continuing to pursue their destructive activities in the Russian Federation, according to Internal Affairs Minister Rashid Nurgalliev.

Answering questions in the lower house of the Russian parliament, Mr Nurgalliev called for tougher punishments for extremism-related crimes.

“There are more than 80 international extremist groups in the Russian Federation which total more than 16 thousand members. One of the most dangerous organisations is ”Hizb-ut-Tahrir“, whose aim is to split Russia on territorial and religious lines. This year more than 370 emissaries of international extremist organisations, including Hizb-ut-Tahrir,  have been extradited from the country. In order to intensify the struggle against extremism, amendments to the current legislation should be introduced,” he said.