Two prison officers were taken hostage by Islamic State inmates at a jail in Rostov, southern Russia, the prison services announced on Sunday.
“The inmates took two prison officers hostage” in Detention Centre Number One of the Rostov region, stated the prison services. “Negotiations on the release of the hostages are underway.”
According to a police source interviewed by the state news agency TASS, the hostage-takers include IS members who are due to appear in court on terrorism charges.
Russia has experienced several attacks claimed by the jihadist organization. On March 22, gunmen killed at least 144 people and injured hundreds more when they opened fire at a concert hall near Moscow, marking the deadliest attack on Russian soil in two decades.
More than 20 people have since been arrested, including the four suspected attackers, all from Tajikistan. IS claimed responsibility for the attack.
