Analysts associate detentions in Chechnya with attack on law enforcers claimed by IS

The detention of nine suspected militants in Chechnya was preceded by a statement released by the "Islamic State" (IS, a terrorist organization, banned in Russia by the court, – note of the "Caucasian Knot") about an attack on law enforcers in the Urus-Martan District. The law enforcement bodies called the jihadists' statement the disinformation, but a special operation might have been triggered by it, said scientists engaged in the studies of the Caucasus.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in April and May, in Chechnya, law enforcers detained nine suspected militants. Sources report that the suspects were plotting attacks on law enforcers.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) for Chechnya reported that the militant grouping was led by Ismail Magomadov, a 20-year-old resident of the Grozny District. In February, he created a grouping that included his relatives and friends.

A relative of one of the detainees treats the detention as a provocation.

Observers in Chechnya also noted illogical behaviour of the suspected militants. "Who will carry with him a written oath of allegiance to the IS? That person will pronounce a sentence for himself," said activist Malika.

The attack on law enforcers in Chechnya in May was reported by sources associated with jihadists: they stated that on April 22, militants attacked a law enforcers' convoy in the Urus-Martan District of Chechnya. The IS claimed responsibility for the attack.

Kirill Semyonov, an expert on Middle Eastern conflicts, does not rule out that the report about the detention of militants in Chechnya could be a law enforcers' response to the attack.