MOSCOW, July 3. /TASS/. Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has thwarted a terrorist attack targeting a railway facility in Pyatigorsk in the Stavropol Region and detained a native of a Central Asian country, a supporter of an international terrorist organization, the FSB's press service said.

"The suspect was preparing, on the instructions and under the coordination of a handler based in Syria, to attack a railway transport infrastructure facility in the Stavropol Region using an improvised incendiary device. <...> After carrying out the terrorist attack, he planned to travel to Syria and join the ranks of an international terrorist organization," the statement said.

According to the FSB, the suspect photographed the intended target and purchased chemicals to make Molotov cocktails.

He was identified and detained. A search of his residence uncovered ready-to-use improvised incendiary devices, as well as communication devices containing instructions from his handler.

The Investigative Department of the FSB Directorate for the Stavropol Region has opened a criminal case under Articles 30.1 and 205.2 of the Russian Criminal Code (preparation for a terrorist attack), as well as Article 205.5.2 (participation in the activities of an organization designated as terrorist in Russia).