"Seized components for the manufacture of IEDs and explosives": FSB prevented a terrorist attack in Crimea

Russian FSB officers detained in Crimea two supporters of the international terrorist organization (MTO) Hayat Tahrir al-Sham *, who were planning to commit a terrorist attack in the region.

This was reported by the FSB Public Relations Center.

"Detained two citizens of Russia, born in 1992 and 1999 ... preparing an armed attack with the use of improvised explosive devices on one of the educational institutions of Simferopol," - said in a press release.

It is noted that the terrorists planned, after committing the crime in transit through Ukraine and Turkey, to enter the territory of Syria to join the ranks of the militants.

“Components for the manufacture of IEDs with damaging elements, explosives were seized at the addresses of the criminals.

Instructions for the production of explosives and explosive devices, correspondence and exchange of voice messages with MTO emissaries discussing planned terrorist acts, confirming the involvement of the detainees in the propaganda and financing of terrorism, were found in the communications equipment used, ”the FSB said.

The department also released footage of the arrest and interrogation of radicals, during which one of them admitted that after establishing contact with the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham militant, he received detailed instructions on how to leave the country and get to Syria.

Criminal cases were initiated against the detainees under Part 1.1 of Art.

205.1 (assistance to terrorist activities), part 2 of Art.

205.2 (propaganda of terrorism) and Part 1 of Art.

223.1 (illegal manufacture of explosive devices) of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

It is specified that the identity of the criminals is not disclosed in the interests of the investigation.

On Friday, April 9, the Kievsky District Court of Simferopol, during closed sessions, arrested both radicals for two months (until June 8, 2021), who are referred to as A. and O. in the materials of the press service.

“The investigation established that A., professing the extreme, most aggressive forms of Islam, calling for jihad - a“ holy war ”against the“ infidels, ”that is, representatives of other religions and confessions, considering the practice of violence and the ideology of terrorism correct, came into contact with a member of “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham,” the court said.

They added that in 2020, the man repeatedly transferred funds to a Qiwi wallet registered by the phone number that was used to finance the terrorist group.

"BUT.

is suspected of committing an especially grave crime against public safety ... for which an uncontested punishment is provided in the form of imprisonment up to life, ”the court said in a statement.

The second man is accused of posting videos on the Internet promoting the ideology of the Islamist MTO, as well as the manufacture of IEDs.

"ABOUT.

made an explosive fragmentation device of an electric type, consisting of a body, a propellant charge;

ready-made striking elements - metal balls, additional striking elements - fragments of glass, which he placed in a backpack made of fabric material and kept at his place of residence, ”the court said.

The head of the Republic of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov thanked the FSB officers for their professional and prompt actions, which made it possible to prevent a terrorist attack in an educational institution.

“Our special services reliably protect Crimea from any threats.

The terrorists have no chance of realizing their criminal plans, ”Aksyonov said.

He stressed that countering terrorism is not limited only to activity along the lines of law enforcement agencies.

According to the head of the republic, preventive work plays a very important role, primarily in the youth environment, in which public, religious and educational organizations should participate.

In addition, there should be an active counteraction to the propaganda of terrorism and extremism in the information field, Aksyonov added.

In turn, a member of the Association of Veterans of the Anti-Terror Group "Alpha", Lieutenant Colonel of the Reserve Andrei Popov on the air of radio Sputnik stressed that the detention of radicals became possible thanks to the joint actions of special services, law enforcement agencies and vigilant citizens who report signs of possible terrorist activity.

“The detainees were planning a terrorist attack not anywhere, but in an educational institution where young people are located - our future ... This operation is another success of our law enforcement officers.

This suggests that the system corresponds to the time, it works and gives its results - it protects our lives, and in this case, our future, youth, ”Popov stressed.

* “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham” (“Jabhat Fath al-Sham”, “Front al-Nusra”, “Jabhat al-Nusra”) - the organization was recognized as terrorist by the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation dated December 29, 2014.