MOSCOW, December 15. /TASS/. A group of seven people affiliated with the Islamic State terror organization (outlawed in Russia) was detained this week in Saint Petersburg, where they planned to carry out a series of terrorist attacks, the press service of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) reported on Friday.
"As a result of operative and investigative measures the Federal Security Service in Saint Petersburg exposed and busted unlawful activities of clandestine group of people affiliated with the Islamic State terrorist organization," the press service said.
"The group was administered by ringleaders of the international terrorist organization from abroad by means of the instant messaging service Telegram," the press service stated.
The detained suspects planned a series of terrorist attacks in St. Petersburg on December 16 sending a suicide bomber to one of worshipped places as well as to set off a number of improvised explosive devices in crowded places.
"Seven members of the group were detained in the course of a special operation in Saint Petersburg on December 13 and 14," the FSB press service said. "A significant amount of explosive devices, elements for improvised explosive devices, automatic guns, ammunition and extremist literature have been confiscated from them."
"A laboratory for manufacturing explosive devices has been eliminated as well," the FSB added.
One of the detained suspects has admitted his guilt of preparing to carry out terrorist attacks in Russia’s second largest city of Saint Petersburg, according to a video footage circulated by the FSB.
"I was plotting a terrorist attack in Saint Petersburg. I had to manufacture explosives, pack them in bottles… and to attach shrapnel elements," the detained suspect said.