In Makhachkala, authorities detained a 17-year-old who is accused of running a string of false alarms about terrorist threats. The incident was disclosed by the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Dagestan, via the regional telegraph channel. Law enforcement officials say this teenager is connected to a wave of reports that claimed there were bombings or mined facilities at multiple institutions across the city and surrounding areas.
According to officials, more than forty such calls targeted a wide range of establishments, including schools, colleges, courts, government offices, and other public institutions. The communications described the youth as acting from a position of influence in the online space, using digital tools to fabricate detailed threats and to mislead the authorities and the public.
Investigators report that the teen worked with a foreign contact who provided guidance on how to carry out these criminal searches and how to structure the false reports. This alleged mentor reportedly explained methods to maximize disruption while staying under the radar of routine checks by security services, raising concerns about the international dimension of the case and the vulnerability of public institutions to such tactics.
A warning was issued indicating that a criminal case has been opened under Article 207 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which covers knowingly false reporting of a terrorist act. The case highlights the serious legal consequences for individuals who broadcast or orchestrate false threats, with potential penalties that reflect the risk these actions pose to life, safety, and public order.
The situation echoes a prior report from security authorities in the Stavropol region. Earlier, a teenager from the Chelyabinsk area was found guilty in Stavropol for anonymously triggering a bomb threat at school number 24, and another teenager was implicated as a co-conspirator. The authorities described those actions as being carried out under instruction from a third party, underscoring a pattern in which younger actors are recruited or manipulated through online networks and external influence. This context demonstrates the ongoing challenge of preventing and prosecuting such threats, which can rapidly strain emergency response services and degrade trust in everyday public spaces.
Experts emphasize the need for robust digital literacy, stronger verification of tips and reports, and more proactive collaboration between schools, police, and local administrations. The Dagestan case serves as a reminder that even minor suspects can be part of a larger, transnational effort, and that prompt, coordinated action is essential to protect communities while ensuring due process. Attribution: Official statements from the Dagestan Ministry of Internal Affairs and corroborating local authorities. Additional context is provided by prior regional security summaries published by official agencies in Stavropol and related law enforcement records.