ISIS terror plot to assassinate Vladimir Putin foiled as explosives and sniper rifle found in flat in the Serbian city of Novi Pazar

A jihadist suspected of plotting an assassination bid on Vladimir Putin has been detained in Serbia, according to reports.

The Kremlin leader is due to make a state visit to Belgrade tomorrow.

A man named as Armin Alibašić , 21, suspected of being an Islamic State “terrorist”, was detained in the Serbian city of Novi Pazar, according to reports today.

The alleged jihadist possessed a cache of weapons and explosives, according to multiple reports in Serbia and Russia, it was claimed.

Images show the alleged cache.

A report attributed to the Serbian intelligence agency BIA said “he was preparing a terrorist attack specifically at the time of the Russian leader’s visit”.

Details were not immediately clear of how any attempt was to have been carried out.

Putin was “a target for terrorists because of the war that Russia carries against ISIS,” said the BIA source.

“Our forces together with Russian colleagues are well prepared and keep the situation under control, and the president of Russian Federation will be totally safe.”

One report said: “Alibašić was stopped by a police patrol in the village of Potok not far from Novi Pazar.

“Police attention was attracted by a young man’s backpack. As a result, a rifle with an optical sight was detected.”

His apartment was searched by police and security services.

They found “an arsenal of weapons and all the necessary components for the manufacture of an explosive device, as well as the symbols of ISIS”.

The man was described as a Wahhabi.

There were suspicions he was not acting alone, according to reports.

The claim was carried by Russian state newspaper Rossikaya Gazeta and other major Moscow outlets.

Ahead of his visit, Putin had hailed close relations between Serbia and Russia.

Source: The Sun