Return of militants to Russia 'a real danger': Litvinenko

CAIRO – 12 December 2017: "The return of the militants to Russia after Syria’s liberation will be a real threat," Russian Federal Security Service Alexander Valterovich Litvinenko stated on Tuesday during the Russian Counter-Terrorism Committee meeting.

Litvinenko added that the militants have to look for other countries to continue their terror activity, including Russia.

"In these circumstances, the real danger is the return of the illegal armed formations from the Middle East, who may join the ranks of gangs and secret cells, and may also participate in forming a base to support them and recruit new fighters,” Litvinenko said.

He pointed out that Russian security forces prevented more than 17,500 foreign citizens, suspected of involvement in terror activities, from entering Russia. Also, more than 80 people were prevented from leaving the country to join terrorist organizations.

The Russian Federal Security announced earlier on Tuesday that it had foiled a Central Asian terrorist group which plotted terrorist attacks on New Year holidays and the presidential campaign in Moscow.