DUSHANBE, March 12, 2013, Asia-Plus — Moscow police have arrested an alleged leader of the Islamic Party of Turkestan, radio Liberty reports.
Russia”s Interior Ministry said on March 11 that Uzbek citizen Abdulkhofiz Kholmurodov was arrested on March 1 and is suspected of leading the party”s cell in Moscow.
Ministry officials say Kholmurodov and his associates have been recruiting Muslims in Moscow for military training camps abroad.
Kholmurodov is reportedly wanted in Uzbekistan, where he faces charges of terrorism, extremism, and attempts to overthrow the government.
Russia”s Interior Ministry says his possible extradition to Tashkent will be decided later.
The Islamic Party of Turkestan, also known as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, is believed to have links with Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants.
Its leaders have announced in the past that their goal is to establish an Islamic caliphate in Central Asia.
