Global embassies warn of extremist threat in Moscow, urge caution
The foreign ministries of Latvia, Canada, South Korea, Sweden, Germany, and the Czech Republic have joined an earlier warning from the US embassy in Moscow about the risk of an "extremist" attack in Russia on Saturday and Sunday, as reported by the independent portal Meduza on Saturday.
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The Latvian Ministry of the Interior cited the American embassy's announcement and called on its citizens to be cautious and avoid mass gatherings in Moscow within the next 48 hours - Meduza reported, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' announcement in Riga.
The US Embassy in Moscow warned on Friday evening of plans for an "extremist" attack in the Russian capital and called on its citizens to be cautious. Shortly before this, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) announced that it had thwarted a plan to attack a synagogue in Moscow.
Diplomats raise alarm
"The embassy is monitoring reports of extremists planning to soon attack large gatherings in Moscow, such as concerts," the US representation in the Russian capital stated. It appealed to its citizens to avoid large human gatherings within the next 48 hours. The embassy did not specify what type of "extremists" it was referring to.
A series of warnings worldwide
Canada has added new information to its government warning for citizens traveling abroad. In this announcement, which discusses a "terrorist threat," the warning issued by the American embassy is also quoted.
Canadian citizens have been called to avoid large gatherings, including concerts and public events, to remain vigilant in public places and to check current information in the Russian media.
A similar warning was published by the South Korean embassy in Moscow. The Swedish Embassy - according to Meduza - declared that citizens are advised against visiting Russia due to the "worsening security situation."
The Czech Embassy in Moscow posted a message urging Czech citizens to exercise special caution and avoid large gatherings "due to reports of possible attacks by extremist groups in major Russian cities."
The German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, meanwhile, updated an earlier recommendation to definitely avoid traveling to Russia.
The messages referred to by Meduza were posted on the websites of embassies and ministries on Friday.
As reminded by the Reuters agency, the FSB had previously announced that it had thwarted a plan of attack, which was supposedly orchestrated by the Afghan branch of the Islamic State. However, Reuters notes that it is unclear whether there is a connection between these two announcements.
The United States, as well as the United Kingdom and Canada, had already earlier warned their citizens not to travel to Russia.
The first warning of an extremist attack in Moscow was issued by American diplomacy already on Thursday evening.
