Russian Authorities Foil IS Plot: Three Arrested for Church Attack in Ingushetia

MOSCOW: Russian authorities reported that they have detained three individuals suspected of plotting a terrorist attack on a church in Ingushetia, a small Muslim-majority republic in the Caucasus region. According to the regional branch of the investigative committee in Ingushetia, the three Russian citizens were preparing to target a church in the city of Sunzha.

The investigators have initiated a criminal case against these individuals for “engaging in the activities of a terrorist organization” and “planning to carry out a terrorist act through prior conspiracy.” They added that during the investigation and associated searches, it was found that the suspects were intending to carry out sabotage and terrorist acts in the region.

Those arrested are affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) group. Russia frequently reports thwarting plots by suspected Islamist cells. IS has consistently vowed to target Russia in retaliation for its support of Syrian leader Bashar Assad.

In March, an attack on a Moscow concert hall resulted in 145 fatalities, marking the deadliest terror attack in Russia in two decades. The attack was claimed by a Central Asian branch of IS, and four alleged gunmen, who are citizens of Tajikistan, are currently in pre-trial detention.

Last week, prison inmates killed at least three Russian prison guards during a prison siege, with the attackers reportedly having links to IS. Russian special forces intervened in the southern Volgograd region and killed all four attackers after a prolonged standoff. This incident was the second instance of IS-affiliated prisoners taking staff hostage since June.