In a dramatic incident on Sunday morning, two employees of a pre-trial detention center in Rostov-on-Don, southern Russia, were rescued after being held hostage by six detainees for several hours, according to Russian state media. The Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in the Rostov region confirmed that the detainees were “eliminated,” and the employees were released unharmed, as reported by state news agency RIA Novosti.
Details of the Hostage Situation
Russian state news agency TASS reported that some of the detainees involved were being held in pre-trial detention on charges related to terrorist crimes and had links to the Islamic State (ISIS). Photos and videos circulated in Russian media depicted at least two detainees wearing black bands with a pro-Islamic Jihad logo and another detainee holding an ISIS flag. In one video, a man with the pro-Islamic Jihad logo on his forehead claimed the group were members of the Islamic State. CNN has not independently verified these videos, and no group has claimed responsibility for the incident.
Speculations and Concerns
Following the incident, some anti-government bloggers expressed concerns that Russian operatives might have orchestrated the situation. Vladimir Osechkin from the prisoner rights group Gulagu.net questioned how six “radically minded convicts were able to coordinate without the help of operatives” inside the facility.
Rescue Operation
According to TASS, the two employees—an operational officer and an inspector-supervisor—were taken hostage on Sunday morning. The detainees demanded transport in exchange for the employees’ release. Russian media reported that the detainees were armed with a pocketknife, a rubber baton, and a fire axe. Law enforcement agencies were cited as the sources for this information.
Conclusion
The situation highlights ongoing security challenges within detention facilities and the complexities of dealing with detainees linked to terrorist organizations. The incident also raises questions about the internal coordination and security measures in place within such facilities.