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FSB nabs teens for damaging rail tracks in Moscow Region on instructions from web chat

The FSB press office did not specify the sum the teenagers received or how they damaged the railway tracks

MOSCOW, January 30. /TASS/. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has apprehended three 8th graders for damaging a railway track in the Moscow Region on an assignment from unidentified individuals on the Telegram messaging app, the FSB press office reported on Monday.

"At the Moscow - Kurskaya station, the FSB branch for Moscow and the Moscow Region jointly with the department of the Interior Ministry of Russia busted the unlawful activity of three underage residents of Chekhov who damaged the transport infrastructure facilities at the Kurskaya railroad haul section," the press office said in a statement.

According to the FSB, the 8th graders entered into contact with unidentified individuals on a Telegram channel who offered them money to damage the track line.

After receiving their instructions, the teens carried out the assignment, videotaping their wrongdoing as confirmation to get the money. The FSB press office did not specify the sum the teenagers received or how they damaged the railway tracks. Procedures are underway to decide on indicting the detained teens, the press office said.

Depending on the circumstances, this sort of offense is punishable under article 205 ("Terrorist Act") or article 281 ("Sabotage") of Russia’s Criminal Code and stipulates criminal liability ranging from ten years to life in prison, even for minors as young as 14 years of age, the FSB press office said.

"Considering the above-mentioned, the FSB branch for Moscow and the Moscow Region urges teenagers and their parents and also other citizens to stay vigilant, refrain from falling under influence of persons who are used by Ukraine’s intelligence services for committing acts of sabotage at Russian transport infrastructure facilities," the FSB press office added.

Information provided to the FSB about subversive acts being plotted to damage transportation and road infrastructure sites would count toward avoiding criminal liability, the press office said.

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