MOSCOW. April 9 (Interfax) - Two Russian citizens have been detained in Crimea for plotting a terror attack in Simferopol before leaving for Syria, the public relations center of the Federal Security Service (FSB) told reporters.
"Two citizens of Russia, born in 1992 and 1999, followers of the Hayat Tahrir ash-Sham international terrorist organization (banned in Russia) who were preparing for an armed attack at an educational establishment of Simferopol by means of improvised explosive devices, have been detained," the FSB said.
According to the FSB, the terrorists were planning to leave for Syria via Ukraine and Turkey upon the perpetration of the terror attack in order to join the ranks of the terrorist organization.
Components of improvised explosive devices with damage agents, as well as explosives have been seized from the detainees.
"Their communication devices contained bomb and explosive production manuals, correspondence and voicemail from emissaries of the international terrorist organization where the planned terror attacks were discussed and which confirmed the involvement of the detainees in the propaganda and financing of terrorism," the FSB said.
A criminal case was opened on counts of aiding and abetting terrorism, propaganda of terrorism, and illegal production of explosive devices.
The charge of plotting a terror attack is also pending, the FSB said.
The identity of the detainees has not been disclosed for reasons of the ongoing investigation.