Four Islamic State-linked inmates killed by Russian security in deadly prison standoff

Four inmates were shot dead by Russian security forces on Friday (Aug 23) after they took hostages at a penal colony, fatally stabbed four prison staff, and posted online videos claiming to be Islamic State militants, according to officials.

"Snipers of the special forces of the Russian National Guard in the Volgograd region, with four precise shots, neutralised four prisoners who had taken prison employees hostage. The hostages have been released," national guard state news agency RIA quoted themas saying.

The federal prison service confirmed that all four attackers had been killed. It also reported that four of its staff had succumbed to stab wounds, while others received treatment in hospital.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

A total of eight prison employees and four inmates had been held hostage, the service added.

In one of the videos posted by the attackers, the victims were shown lying in pools of blood, with one of them appearing to have had his throat slashed. A prisoner could be heard shouting that they were "mujahideen" of Islamic State.

Other videos depicted the attackers walking around in a prison yard, with one of their hostages slumped on the ground, his face covered in blood.

The operation to free the hostages was carried out after RussianPresident Vladimir Putin, during a weekly Security Council meeting, requested updates from the interior minister, the FSB security chief, and the head of the national guard regarding the situation.

Russia has been dealing with a rise in Islamist militant attacks, whileits defence and security forces remain heavily focused on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

This incident has raised serious concerns about prison security, especially following a prison revolt in June. It remains unclear how the inmates managed to obtain knives to attack staff and mobile phones to record and upload multiple videos.

The attackers’ demands were not clear, but in their disjointed speeches, they reportedly claimed that Russia "oppresses Muslims everywhere" and justified their actions as a merciless response to the alleged mistreatment of Muslim prisoners.

Russian media reported that the four men were citizens of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Three of them were serving sentences for drug-related offences, while the fourth was imprisoned for killing someone during a fight.

(With inputs from agencies)