Russian man arrested in Colombia on terrorism charges

Bogota, Nov 5 (EFE).- Colombian authorities arrested a Russian national who was the subject of an Interpol notice for belonging to several terrorist groups in Syria dating back to 2013, including the Islamic State terror organization.

Vladimir Taranets, alias “Ali Ali,” was detained at Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport.

“Colombia’s National Police, through the Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Interpol, in coordination with the Attorney General’s Office, detained for purposes of extradition Russian citizen Vladimir Taranets, known as ‘Ali Ali,’ at the El Dorado International Airport in Bogota,” that police force said Friday in a statement.

The suspect had been attempting to fly from Turkey to Guatemala City’s La Aurora International Airport via Bogota.

Russia accuses Taranets of being a “member of the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group” and has an Interpol Red Notice that was issued against him by a Russian court, the statement read.

He also allegedly was a member of a cell of the jihadist group Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar, which “carries out terrorist activities” in Iraq and “committed violent acts of sabotage that killed civilians” in Syria, the National Police said.

Taranets traveled in 2013 from Russia to Turkey and then on to Syria, where he joined that Islamist cell. After that group was dissolved, he formed part of the Islamic State as a foreign combatant and was in possession of a “formidable arsenal of firearms and munitions.”

“Vladimir Taranets, alias ‘Ali Ali,’ is wanted by (Russian authorities) for the crimes of participating in illegal armed formations and participating in a terrorist organization’s activities,” the statement said.

The suspect now will be extradited to Russia, where he could face a 20-year prison sentence if convicted. EFE

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