Teen detained in Moscow over suspected Tsaritsyno park attack plot after US warning
Russian authorities have detained a teenager suspected of planning an attack on a popular park in the capital Moscow. He was detained after Russia received a warning from the United States.
Russia's Interfax news agency reported the detention citing the country's Federal Security Service, the FSB. The Interfax report was published on Sunday.
According to the Interfax report, the suspect is a Russian citizen. His identity has not been disclosed.
According to the FSB, the teenager had posted several photos on TikTok wearing a mask and military-style clothing. A weapon was also seen in his hand in the photos.
The suspect had also posted photos of the Tsaritsyno museum grounds in southern Moscow. The caption of the photos read, 'Found a place.'
The FSB said a search of the teenager's home recovered the clothing and equipment seen in the photos.
The agency also said an examination of his mobile phone found searches related to terrorist attacks and mass killings. It said he also followed a neo-Nazi channel on the social media platform Telegram.
Earlier, on Saturday, the US embassy in Moscow issued a security alert. It said there was a 'credible threat of an incident involving large numbers of casualties' at the Tsaritsyno museum grounds.
The site, built around a palace and a large park, is one of Moscow's popular tourist destinations. The US embassy advised people to avoid the area.
The embassy also said the US government was coordinating with Russian authorities to address the situation. After the warning, the park was temporarily closed on Saturday.
In a statement, the FSB said, 'We are grateful to the United States for providing the information.' It said the relevant investigative committee is considering what legal action will be taken against the suspect.
The United States had warned Russia about a possible attack before as well. In March 2024, Washington issued such a warning a few weeks before an attack on a concert hall in Moscow. More than 140 people were killed in that attack, carried out by a terrorist group.
