The Federal Security Service has uncovered an international terrorist cell in southern Russia, the FSB press office said on Thursday.
"The Federal Security Service has ferreted out a cell of the Hizb ut-Tahrir al Islami international terrorist organization [outlawed in Russia] in Rostov-on-Don, which included 13 citizens of Central Asian countries," the Public Relations Center said.
Coordinated by the organization’s emissaries based in Ukraine, the extremists were spreading their ideology in Russia, according to the FSB. They were recruiting members among local Muslims and guest workers via secret meetings.
During its searches, the FSB seized propaganda material, communication equipment, and electronic data storage devices, which were used in their terrorist activities.
A criminal case has been opened, as the investigation continues, the FSB said.
