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Two suspected terrorists detained in Kyrgyzstan after returning from Syria and Turkey

Suspected terrorists returned to Kyrgyzstan on a plane from Istanbul "to commit several crimes," including "killing and eliminating people unfavorable for them"

BISHKEK, December 29. /TASS/. Two members of international terrorist organizations who just returned from Syria and Turkey have been detained in Kyrgyzstan, the press service of the country’s Interior Ministry said on Tuesday.

"During the search operation, it was established that one of those detained went to Turkey in February 2013. In 2015 he underwent training for several months and learned to handle firearms in an extremist camp in the Syrian province of Latakia," the Interior Ministry said. However, the press service did not provide any information about the activities of the second suspect on the territory of Turkey.

Suspected terrorists returned to Kyrgyzstan on a plane from Istanbul "to commit several crimes," including "killing and eliminating people unfavorable for them." The Interior Ministry said it reports indicate that they were tasked by one of their compatriots in Syria with returning to Kyrgyzstan to "attack and rob wealthy people, foreigners and send the money to extremists."

The names of the suspects are not disclosed in the interests of the investigation. It is only known that they are natives of Kyrgyzstan’s southern regions of Osh and Jalal-Abad.

According to Kyrgyzstan’s law enforcement agencies, around 500 people left the country for Syria and Iraq to take part in combat actions on the side of terrorists operating there.

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.