Seven alleged members of an international religious extremist group have been arrested in the Russian city of Astrakhan.
Russia's Investigative Committee spokesman Andrei Khegai said that the seven have been charged with propagating terrorism, inciting racial and ethnic hatred, and illegal explosives possession.
Interior Ministry officials say the suspects were involved in recruiting young men among local citizens to take part in extremist and terrorist actions in Russia's North Caucasus region, as well as in Afghanistan and Syria.
Russia's Investigative Committee spokesman Andrei Khegai said that the seven have been charged with propagating terrorism, inciting racial and ethnic hatred, and illegal explosives possession.
Interior Ministry officials say the suspects were involved in recruiting young men among local citizens to take part in extremist and terrorist actions in Russia's North Caucasus region, as well as in Afghanistan and Syria.
