Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has arrested a suspected Al Qaeda trained international terrorist, who is wanted in Tajikistan for alleged involvement in terrorist activities,from the country's Chelyabinsk region.
Abdulvosit Latipov, a Tajik citizen, is among radical extremists operating in Tajikistan during and after the Soviet collapse, security officials said.
"His gang is believed to be responsible for at least 43 murders. Among their victims were a prosecutor, a minister, police and Russian border guards serving Tajikistan," English language Russia Today TV channel reported.
Latipov's gang is said to have been trained by Al Qaeda instructors in camps in Af-Pak region. Even after the end of Tajikistan's civil war in 1998 and government amnesty, Latipov's gang did not lay down arms. In 2001, Latipov and others were tried in absentia and put on the international wanted list.
Latipov and his followers fled Tajikistan in 2004 and used fake IDs to settle in Russia's Chelyabinsk region of the Urals.
However, as of last year, the police have managed to identify and arrest several gang members, who provided the information leading to the arrest of their leader. Latipov will be extradited to Tajikistan to face charges.