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Winter Olympics: Russia arrests five 'terror suspects' | Winter Olympics: Russia arrests five 'terror suspects' |
(about 13 hours later) | |
Russian authorities say they have detained five members of a "banned international terrorist organisation" in the restive North Caucasus region. | |
The arrests were made in the town of Nalchik, some 300km (185 miles) east of the Black Sea resort of Sochi, the host of next month's Winter Olympics. | The arrests were made in the town of Nalchik, some 300km (185 miles) east of the Black Sea resort of Sochi, the host of next month's Winter Olympics. |
Russia earlier announced it was deploying more than 30,000 police and interior ministry troops to the region. | Russia earlier announced it was deploying more than 30,000 police and interior ministry troops to the region. |
The main concern is the threat of attack by Islamist militants. | The main concern is the threat of attack by Islamist militants. |
Security fears have been heightened after two suicide bomb attacks killed 34 people in the southern city of Volgograd on 29 and 30 December. | Security fears have been heightened after two suicide bomb attacks killed 34 people in the southern city of Volgograd on 29 and 30 December. |
The bombings were similar to previous indiscriminate attacks by Islamist militants operating from the North Caucasus, where violent anti-Moscow separatism is rife. | The bombings were similar to previous indiscriminate attacks by Islamist militants operating from the North Caucasus, where violent anti-Moscow separatism is rife. |
No group has said it carried out the attacks, but Russia's most wanted man, Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov, has previously urged his fighters to target the Games. | No group has said it carried out the attacks, but Russia's most wanted man, Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov, has previously urged his fighters to target the Games. |
'Explosive device' | 'Explosive device' |
The five suspects were in possession of "grenades, ammunition, and a homemade explosive device packed with shrapnel", the National Anti-Terrorism Committee said. | The five suspects were in possession of "grenades, ammunition, and a homemade explosive device packed with shrapnel", the National Anti-Terrorism Committee said. |
The authorities did not provide further details on the terror organisation the men were alleged to belong to. | The authorities did not provide further details on the terror organisation the men were alleged to belong to. |
Russian police arrested more than 700 people following the twin bomb attacks in Volgograd. | Russian police arrested more than 700 people following the twin bomb attacks in Volgograd. |
Investigators believe the perpetrators were two men who arrived in the city from the North Caucasus. | Investigators believe the perpetrators were two men who arrived in the city from the North Caucasus. |
The bombings prompted President Vladimir Putin to launch one of the biggest security operations in Olympic history, and personally inspect the sites of the Games. | The bombings prompted President Vladimir Putin to launch one of the biggest security operations in Olympic history, and personally inspect the sites of the Games. |
Russian officials are establishing two security zones to protect the event, due to start on 7 February. | Russian officials are establishing two security zones to protect the event, due to start on 7 February. |
A "controlled zone" near Olympic venues will limit access to people with tickets and proof of identity while another "forbidden zone" will be in place in large areas around Sochi. | A "controlled zone" near Olympic venues will limit access to people with tickets and proof of identity while another "forbidden zone" will be in place in large areas around Sochi. |
Vehicles not registered locally and which do not have special accreditation will be banned from the city. The sale of firearms, explosives and ammunition will also be prohibited. | Vehicles not registered locally and which do not have special accreditation will be banned from the city. The sale of firearms, explosives and ammunition will also be prohibited. |
On Friday, the US issued a travel alert for its citizens planning to attend the Games. | On Friday, the US issued a travel alert for its citizens planning to attend the Games. |
It warned of the potential for terrorism in Russia, but said there was no specific threat to Americans. | It warned of the potential for terrorism in Russia, but said there was no specific threat to Americans. |
In recent years, a conflict between Russian forces and separatists in Chechnya has been the source of attacks by Islamists. | In recent years, a conflict between Russian forces and separatists in Chechnya has been the source of attacks by Islamists. |
The violence has spread across the North Caucasus, including to mainly Muslim Ingushetia and Dagestan, killing hundreds of people, among them members of the government and security services. | The violence has spread across the North Caucasus, including to mainly Muslim Ingushetia and Dagestan, killing hundreds of people, among them members of the government and security services. |
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