MOSCOW, December 8. /TASS/. The first sentence passed on the territory of Russia over participation in the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization banned in Russia has entered into force, Moscow’s Lefortovsky court press secretary Yulia Skotnikova told TASS on Tuesday.
"The court found Tural Ragimov guilty under Article 208 of Russia’s Criminal Code (participation in an armed group involved in activities against Russia’s interests) and sentenced him to four years in prison," Skotnikova said.
He added that Ragimov pleaded guilty and sincerely repented. Ragimov, a supporter of radical Islam, was part of the Islamic State in summer 2013.
Islamic State extremist organization
The Islamic State is an extremist organization banned in Russia. In 2013-2014, it called itself the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). In June 2014, IS announce the establishment of the "Islamic caliphate" on the territories seized in Iraq and Syria. According to US’ Central Intelligence Agency, the extremist group includes around 30,000 people, while Iraqi authorities claim there are around 200,000 in IS. Among members of the group are citizens of 80 countries, including France, Great Britain, Germany, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, US, Canada, as well as Russia and other CIS countries. According to reports, militants now control around 40% of the Iraqi territory and 50% of the Syrian territory.