Four Suspected Members Of Banned Islamic Group Arrested In Russia

Four migrant laborers from Central Asia have been arrested and charged with membership in a banned Islamic group in the Siberian city of Tyumen.

Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officials say the suspects were arrested in a special operation targeting illegal migrants.

The four are suspected of participating in the activities of the so-called Islamic Party of Turkestan (IPT).

The FSB officials say brochures and memory sticks with extremist content were found in the suspects' possession.

The IPT, also known as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), is believed to have links with the Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants.

The group says it wants to establish an Islamic caliphate in Central Asia.

It has been banned in Russia and Central Asian countries.

Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS and Interfax