Arrest of Five Suspects Linked to ISIS Attack Planning Group in Russia

The Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB) announced on Friday evening that it has arrested five suspects believed to be members of a group planning ISIS attacks, seizing weapons and explosive devices from them. According to Russian news agencies TASS and Interfax, these five suspects were arrested on Thursday and Friday in the city of Yaroslavl, north of Moscow. Russia, whose military forces are engaged in Syria supporting Bashar al-Assad's army against rebel groups and ISIS militants, is set to host the FIFA World Cup next month and has increased security measures across various regions in anticipation of the event. Over a week ago, on April 27, the FSB announced that it had thwarted an ISIS-linked plot to carry out serious attacks in the Moscow area. The FSB did not disclose the identities of the newly arrested individuals or provide further details about the timing or location of the planned attacks. The statement also mentioned that during home searches, a cache of homemade explosive devices, as well as firearms and ammunition, was discovered. The FSB also stated that the activities of the arrested group were directed 'from outside Russia using the Telegram messaging app,' which Russian authorities attempted to block last month. The Russian communications and telecommunications watchdog began blocking Telegram in mid-April, approximately three weeks ago, citing the app's failure to cooperate in providing access to encrypted user content for Russian security services. The FSB claims it needs access to certain messages from users on Telegram to ensure security in Russia, but critics, who recently held a large rally in Moscow against the blocking of Telegram, argue that this demand contradicts internet freedom.