KAZAN. April 24 (Interfax) - Security agencies in Russia's Republic of Tatarstan have detained 14 members of the Hizb ut-Tahrir international terrorist organization, banned in Russia, the press service of the Russian Federal Security Service's (FSB) branch for Tatarstan said on Tuesday.
"Searches were carried out on April 24 at 14 identified locations used by members of the Kazan unit of the Hizb ut-Tahrir international terrorist organization (banned in Russia). Fourteen members, including the leaders of the terrorist cell, were detained during the operation," the press service said.
A large amount of banned literature published by this terrorist organization and reports detailing recruiters' work with new members of Hizb ut-Tahrir were confiscated during the searches, it said.
"Documents confirming the suspects' involvement in anti-constitutional propaganda activities among the republic's Muslims were seized," it said.
A criminal investigation has been opened against the detained persons on charges of "organizing the activities of a terrorist organization and participating in this organization's activities."