Russian security services arrested seven people accused of plotting Islamic State-inspired terror attacks in major Russian cities, the country’s intelligence agency announced Monday.
The arrests were made in Ekaterinburg, which is on the edge of Siberia, the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation said in a written statement. According to the agency, the group was planning to carry out “high-profile attacks” using improvised explosives on Moscow, St. Petersburg and the area around Ekaterinburg.
Agents found a bomb-making laboratory, including explosives and detonators, as well as guns and grenades, during searches of the group’s houses, the statement said. Extremists writings were also found.
According to the FSB, the group members were Russian citizens, although some were from Central Asian states. The group’s leader was an alleged Islamic State militant who recently arrived from Turkey, which implies he may have returned from Syria.
The arrested people have been charged with plotting a terrorist act, as well as ammunition trafficking and illegally storing explosives.
Russian security services have been on high alert for attacks since Moscow launched its air campaign in Syria in support of president Bashar Assad’s government. The Islamic State has since promised to carry out terror attacks in Russia in revenge.
