Russian and Abkhazian security services say they have broken up a Chechen-Georgian plot to carry out terrorist attacks against the Sochi Olympics. (Eurasianet)
Russian officials say they have foiled a plot by Islamic militants to attack the 2014 Winter Olympics.
ABC News reported:
Russian security agencies say they have foiled a plot by Islamic militants to attack the 2014 Winter Olympics in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
The National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAC) said the special services had confiscated arms, ammunition and explosives – including surface-to-air missiles and a flamethrower – in the breakaway Abkhazia region of Georgia.
“Russia’s FSB (security service) was able to establish that the fighters planned to move the weapons to Sochi from 2012 to 2014 and use them to carry out terrorist acts before and during the Olympic Games,” the NAC said in a statement.
Any security breach around the games could be embarrassing for president Vladimir Putin, who has taken a personal interest in the event and hopes it can be used to boost Russia’s image.
The International Olympic Committee has said it is confident Russia will provide a safe event.
Abkhazia, which Russia recognised as an independent nation after a five-day 2008 war with its South Caucasus neighbour, is adjacent to Sochi on the Black Sea coast.
