Turkey arrests Russians suspected of planning attacks on Chechen dissidents

Six suspects, including four Russians, were arrested in Turkey for allegedly planning armed attacks on Chechen dissidents. Those arrested are accused of "political and military espionage."

Duvar English  

A Turkish court has arrested six suspects, including Russians, accused of espionage after they were detained on suspicion of preparing armed attacks on Chechen dissidents, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Oct. 21. 

Turkish police carried out an operation in Istanbul and the southern province of Antalya on Oct. 8 and said that four Russians, one Ukrainian and one Uzbek were detained. 

Those detained are Abdula Abdulaev, Ravshan Akhmedov, Bislan Rasaev, Aslanbek Abdulmuslimov, Ihor Yefrim and Amir Yusupov. 

The suspects were later arrested in Istanbul on charges of "political and military espionage," which, in a conviction, carries a sentence of 15-20 years in prison. 

The suspects are believed to be preparing armed attacks against Chechen dissidents in Turkey. They were engaged in obtaining guns and planning these acts, Anadolu Agency said.