The Saint Petersburg Directorate of the Investigative Committee has opened an investigation in assistance to terrorist activities under Part 1 of Article 205.1 of the RF Penal Code.

On 5 April 2017, investigators together with agents of regional branches of the Federal Security Service and the Interior Ministry, as well as special forces of the Russian Guards detaned 6 labor migrants from Central Asia.

According to the investigators, the suspects recruited Central Asia natives for Dzhebkhat an-Nusra and IS from November 2015 to the current time. They also tried to involve the recruits in other illicit armed groups including those acting in other states.

The suspects’ residences are being searched. The investigators are seizing Islamist extremist literature, items and documents relative to the investigation.

The Investigative Committee is going to check all links and contacts of the detained men, but at present there is no evidence that they were connected or event acquainted with the perpetrator behind the Saint Petersburg metro terrorist attack.

At the present time, the suspects are being arrested and charged, while steps are being taken to identify and prosecute their accomplices.