MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. Russia’s FSB has apprehended a backer of a terrorist organization active in Syria who was plotting a terror attack in the Trans-Baikal Region, the FSB’s Public Relations Center told TASS on Monday.

"The Federal Security Service has detained a supporter of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham international terrorist organization (outlawed in Russia based on a June 2020 decision by the Russian Supreme Court) in Chita, a citizen of the Russian Federation who was planning to commit a terrorist attack against members of law enforcement in the Trans-Baikal Region," the center said.

Following the planned attack, he intended to travel to Syria to participate in combat on the side of terrorist groups. At his residence, a search uncovered two homemade explosive devices with striking elements having a total mass of 400 grams in TNT equivalent, a homemade detonator, three grenades, replicas of an AK-103 assault rifle and a Makarov pistol refitted for service firing, a large amount of munitions as well as proscribed religious literature.

"The subject renounced his deeds and is cooperating with the investigation," the FSB noted. A criminal case has been opened against him over the terror attack plot, along with training for terrorist activities, illegal circulation of arms and munitions, illegal acquisition of explosive substances and devices, and the illegal modification of firearms.