The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Directorate for the Rostov Region reported that three citizens of Uzbekistan were prevented from committing a planned terrorist act in a penal colony.
According to the FSB, the suspects are supporters of the "Islamic State" (IS, ISIS) terrorist organization, which is banned in Russia and a number of other countries, and all three are serving sentences for serious crimes. One was convicted of murder, the second of drug trafficking, and the third of intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm.
It is emphasized that the suspects intended to "take institution staff hostage and set fire to the colony buildings." They are said to have developed a detailed action plan but did not manage to carry it out. During the search, pieces of fabric with images of the terrorist organization's flag and a knife were found on them.
A criminal case has been initiated on the attempted terrorist act.
