Officials announced today that two men who sympathized with international terrorist groups and planned future attacks have been “neutralized” during a standoff with authorities. That was part of a statement issued by the Federal Security Service (FSB), the statement went on to say that in addition, bomb parts as well as an AK-47 assault rifle with ammo were seized in the operation.
The raid took place about 175 miles from the nations capitol. Officers from the agency “neutralized” two men who were described as being citizens from the Central Asian region, 26 and 30 years-old. Both subjects were killed as “a result of a standoff that developed when officers were trying to take the terror suspects into custody” according to a press release. Both men showed “active armed resistance,” the FSB stressed.
In addition, the statement said: “Those persons were in contact with recruiters from international terrorist organizations, showed interest in the technology of producing improvised explosive devices, and expressed their readiness to commit terrorist attacks on the territory of Russia.” During their search, officers seized components of improvised explosive devices, a Kalashnikov AK-74 assault rifle, a PM handgun and ammunition.
Officials later released a video showing the suspects and components of the explosive devices. An investigation was immediately launched into the case to follow additional leads into the circumstances and possible associates surrounding the pair.
The raid came just two weeks after an improvised explosive device went off in a subway car of the St. Petersburg Metro. The blast left fourteen people dead and dozens injured. In addition, a second device disguised as a fire extinguisher was defused by a bomb squad at another station.
The suspect in that attack was later identified as 22-year-old Akbarzhon Dzhalilov. Police are treating the incident as a terrorist attack and investigators say it is still unclear whether Dzhalilov set off the bomb or it was remotely detonated. Police later detained eight people on suspicion of being involved in that attack.
Six of the suspects were arrested in St. Petersburg and two others in Moscow. A police raid on the detained suspects’ apartments found firearms, ammunition, and an improvised explosive device similar to the one found in the St. Petersburg Metro.
Monday brought the arrest of a person suspected of being one of the organizers of the bombing. The man was identified by authorities as Abror Azimov. Officials said he was detained near Moscow, but he denies any direct involvement in the attack. He did admit to some involvement in the plot, but said he merely carried out an order, not realizing it was part of a terrorist plan.
WARNING: VIDEO IS GRAPHIC
https://youtu.be/1P6oJTFKg0M