In Kyiv region, the SBU exposed a cell of the "Islamic State" international terrorist organization. Its leader is a militant wanted in the Eastern European for participation in hostilities in Syria. In 2019, he arrived in Ukraine with forged documents and gathered a group of associates from foreigners.

The SBU officers established that members of the cell forged passports of Ukrainian and Russian citizens and legalized people from the Middle East and Central Asia in our country. Allegedly, some of them are active IS militants. Following a plan of leaders of the international terrorist organization, they hid out in Ukraine after commission of crimes. The criminals also distributed extremist literature to potential adherents.

Law enforcement officers conducted 9 searches of offenders’ temporary residences and shelters. The seized inventory included:

• TNT-containing explosive,
• F-1grenade,
• 8 grenade launcher rounds,
• foreign currency,
• bank cards,
• records of financial transactions to Syria.

In addition, the SBU discovered IS symbols, religious and extremist literature of an author involved in recruitment of militants. The investigation also documented correspondence between members of the cell and IS militants abroad discussing they return to Syria for participation in hostilities.

The investigation on creation of a terrorist group is ongoing to collect the evidence and prosecute all involved individuals.