Russia: Police Prevent Terrorist Act Planned For Victory Day

Russian police have detained three members of an extremist group that was allegedly planning several terrorist acts during Victory Day celebrations in the southern city of Astrakhan.

RIA Novosti news agency reports a source in the law-enforcement agency of the Southern Federal district has revealed the names of the extremists. Among them are Ruslan Yalukov and Mussa Yasulov.

During the arrest another extremist, 30-year-old Andrey Antonov tried to activate a bomb and was shot by police, the news agency reports. Antonov had a hand grenade and a home-made revolver with him.Police have also found a Kalashnikov gun and ammunition at his place.

All the suspects are local residents. But the involvement of some of the detained in the terrorist activity has not been confirmed so far.

It is believed the group was also planning attacks on the police.

During the operation, police also confiscated arms, ammunition, binoculars, camouflage clothes and some Islamist books.

Based on the evidence, the Federal Security Service suggests that the detained people are “religious extremists” who were planning several terrorist acts in various locations in Astrakhan. However, the details remain unknown.

According to police all in all 15 people were detained in the Saturday night special operation, all of them local residents. However, it is not confirmed that all of the detained people have been involved in the terrorist activity.

The police picked up their trail while investigating attacks on several policemen which happened in summer, 2010.