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'Russian Wahhabi' Gets 23 Years In Jail


A police photo of Viktor Dvorakovsky
A police photo of Viktor Dvorakovsky
A Stavropol regional court has sentenced Viktor Dvorakovsky, dubbed the “Russian Wahhabi,” to 23 years in a maximum security jail for terrorism-related offenses.

Dvorakovsky, 24, a Muslim convert, was found guilty of attempted terrorist action, attempted murder, and illegal possession of explosives.

Police started searching for Dvorakovsky after an illegal explosive device was detonated in an apartment he had rented in the city of Pyatigorsk in March 2011.

When police in July 2011 asked him to identify himself, officials say Dvorakovsky threw an explosive device, injuring one police officer.

One of Dvorakovsky's hands was blown off when he tried to throw two more explosive devices.

Wahhabism is a strict branch within Sunni Islam that critics accuse of fostering militant Islamism.

Based on reporting by Interfax and Kommersant

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