Russian security services detained four members an Islamic State “sleeper cell,” which had been planning a series of “high-profile” attacks in the Moscow region. The group is said to have been coordinated from Syria.
The arrested Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) members arrived from the city of Noviy Urengoy in Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area and intended to carry out attacks under guidance received from Syria, the FSB’s press service told Russian media on Thursday. It noted that the terrorists had communicated through Telegram messenger, which was recently blocked in Russia.
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While the arrest took place in March, the FSB and police detained 20 terrorist accomplices in a joint raid in Noviy Urengoy on Wednesday. Security officers seized a cache of extremist literature and videos containing IS propaganda.
FSB footage show operatives storming what appears to be a building supply store and an apartment, ordering men inside to get on the floor. Another clip depicts masked officers escorting a detained man from a plane at Tyumen Airport.
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