Teenager suspected of terrorism after attempting to set car on fire

In St. Petersburg on 30 January, a 17-year-old girl was detained on suspicion of committing a terrorist act. She is suspected of attempting to set a car on fire, and her actions were recorded on video.

The detention took place outside a non-departmental security office in the Krasnoselsky district on Tambasova Street. Footage shows the girl circling the car before a woman runs up to her, followed by law enforcement officers.

Preliminary information suggests that before the incident, the minor was communicating with unknown individuals via a messenger app. She likely acted on their instructions after being frightened by what she heard.

A criminal case has been opened under Article 205 of the Russian Criminal Code, «Terrorist Act». The detainee is currently giving testimony to investigators.

This is the third such case in recent days. The day before, in the city«s Primorsky district, a minor was detained for setting fire to a Mercedes near a police department, claiming he was trying to save his parents from criminal prosecution. About a week ago, a similar incident occurred in the Vyborgsky district of St. Petersburg.