A native of Tajikistan received a long sentence for preparing to set fire to a temple in Maykop

The Southern District Military Court sentenced Idris Idibekov to 17 years in prison for preparing a terrorist attack in one of the temples in Maikop.

As "Kavkazsky Uzel" wrote, in July 2024 the court arrested Idibekov in connection with the case of preparing an attack on a temple. It was also reported that the detainee has dual citizenship - Russia and Tajikistan.

A native of Tajikistan, Idris Idibekov, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for attempting to commit a terrorist attack in the St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral in Maikop and for participating in the activities of the "Islamic State"*. The decision was made by the Southern District Military Court, TASS reported.

“In accordance with the court’s verdict, the defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 17 years of imprisonment in a maximum security penal colony with the first three years to be served in prison,” the judge said, as quoted by RIA Novosti.

According to the prosecution, in the summer of 2024, while in Adygea, Idibekov met a Syrian, whom he convinced to join the Islamic State* with him and participate in military operations. In addition, Idibekov suggested that the Syrian jointly organize a terrorist attack.

“The defendant purchased 15 liters of gasoline, a kitchen knife, and also made an ISIS flag*, prepared the text for a video message about the crime committed, purchased an airline ticket for the Sochi-Istanbul flight in order to hide in the territory of a foreign state after committing the crime,” RTVI quotes the press service of the military court as saying.

The terrorist attack was supposed to take place on the night of July 11, 2024. Idibekov and the Syrian, who by that time had already acted as part of an FSB operational measure, were detained by security forces near the temple.

As "Caucasian Knot" wrote, on June 23, 2024, on Trinity Day, which is one of the main Christian holidays, militants attacked synagogues and an Orthodox church in Derbent and Makhachkala. On June 23, the American Institute for the Study of War stated that a cell of the Vilayat Kavkaz*, a division of the Islamic State*, was behind the attacks.

On June 24, veterans of the special services interviewed by the Caucasian Knot noted that the attacks by militants in Makhachkala and Derbent could have been prevented if the security forces had more carefully guarded religious sites and paid due attention to preventive work. Security at religious sites in Dagestan was only strengthened the next day after militant attacks and deaths.

"Caucasian Knot" prepared reports "The Main Thing About Participants in Attacks in Makhachkala and Derbent" and "Attacks on Churches, Synagogues, and Security Forces in Dagestan".

* the organization is recognized as terrorist, its activities are prohibited in Russia

** the activities of the Meta company (which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp) are prohibited in Russia.