Russian Vladimir Taranetc, known as "Ali Ali", was arrested in Bogotá on November 5, 2021. (Credit: Colombian National Police)
(CNN Spanish) -
Colombian authorities arrested an alleged Russian member of the terrorist group Islamic State - ISIS - in Bogotá when he was stopping in the country on his way to Guatemala, according to the National Police in a statement on Friday.
Vladimir Taranetc, known as Ali Ali, was detained at the El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá for extradition purposes, in an operation coordinated between investigators from that country and Interpol.
He has been charged before the Russian courts for the crimes of "participation in illegal armed formations and participation in the activity of a terrorist organization," according to the statement.
In addition, the document indicates that Taranetc left from Istanbul, Turkey, bound for Guatemala, although the reason for his trip to the Central American country was not specified.
CNN is trying to find out if the detainee has legal representation or how to testify to the accusations.
Interpol's Press Office told CNN on Friday that it could not comment on cases or individuals except for special circumstances and with the approval of the member country, in this case Colombia, and referred any questions to local authorities.
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Vladimir Taranetc. (Credit: National Police of Colombia)
He added that the information they have on Taranect would be available in the agency's fugitive section on the Internet, although he made it clear that "many red circulars are not made public."
The notice against this man cannot be found on the website.
CNN also contacted the Russian embassy in Bogotá to obtain more information and so far no response has been received.
According to the Colombian National Police, Taranetc has participated since 2013 as a "foreign fighter" and it is estimated that "he had a strong arsenal of firearms and ammunition" for the Islamic State.
The director of the Colombian National Police, General Jorge Luis Vargas, added in a video sent to the media that "this person, according to the information sent by the Moscow National Central Office, had left Russia to address various countries between Syria and Turkey, armed and dangerous, to form terrorist organizations. "
The detainee "will be extradited to Russia to appear before the judicial authorities. He could face a sentence of up to 20 years in prison," according to the statement.
Islamic StateISIS
