Nearly 20 foreign nationals detained in Moscow
Nearly 20 foreign citizens have been detained in Moscow, according to reports they have been suspected of being involved with the so-called Islamic State, which is prohibited in Russia.
A joint operation of the Federal Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs was carried out in several locations at the same time. According to NTV, riot policemen did not participate. According to different sources, the detainees, including citizens of Uzbekistan and Turkey, offered no resistance.
The suspects lived in modest rental flats. Considerable amounts of computers, printers, scanners and other office equipment were confiscated.
Finished products including various patents, certificates, work record books and passports were found, which, according to operatives, could have been used for the entry of Russian citizens into Syrian territory. Turkish driver’s licenses were found as well.
TASS, citing a source in law-enforcement, explained that these people recruited Russians to join the so-called Islamoc State and provided them with documents. The detainees themselves state that they are not involved with terrorists, but they couldn’t explain why they have so many false passports. According to neighbors, the lodgers were quiet and there was nothing strange in their behavior.
The detainees have been taken to police. The individuals are being identified. Their involvement in the international extremist and terrorist organizations is being investigated.