Moscow: Six detainees were killed during an attempted jailbreak at a pretrial detention center in Rostov-on-Don, southern Russia, after they seized two prison guards hostage on Sunday.
The incident, initially reported by state news agency RIA Novosti, unfolded overnight and appeared to be a meticulously planned escape attempt.
According to Telegram news channel Baza, the standoff commenced when six inmates, some of whom were facing terrorism charges, breached the bars of their cells and took the head of operations and a junior inspector as hostages. The hostage-takers were armed and reportedly had Islamic State flags and communication equipment.
Also Read | Digital News Report Highlights Public Concerns About AI in Journalism
Telegram channel Shot indicated that three of the detainees, awaiting trial for allegedly plotting a terrorist attack last year, had recruited three others to assist in the breakout.
During the crisis, video footage released by the hostage-takers showed a bearded man wielding a knife, declaring, “Islamic State mujahideen have taken over the center.” Their demands included a car, weapons, and safe passage out of Russia, as reported by Baza.
Also Read | Kremlin Confirms Putin’s Visit to North Korea, Ending Months of Speculation
The situation was swiftly resolved when National Guard and secret service operatives stormed the building in a three-minute operation on Sunday morning, according to Baza’s report. Three of the hostage-takers were killed immediately during the operation, while the remaining three died before emergency services could intervene.
Fortunately, one of the hostages sustained minor injuries but is reported to be out of danger.
