Kyrgyzstan warns citizens against online recruitment after Moscow terrorist attacks

In a recent statement issued by Kyrgyzstan’s Labour Ministry, authorities have raised alarm over a concerning trend of recruitment targeting Kyrgyz citizens, including minors, through social networks and dating sites.

The recruitment efforts, reportedly aimed at involving individuals in terrorist activities within Russia, have prompted urgent warnings from Kyrgyz officials urging vigilance and caution among their citizens.

"The representative office of the Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration (of Kyrgyzstan) in the Russian Federation warns that through social networks and popular instant messengers such as Telegram, citizens, including minor children, are being actively recruited to participate in terrorist acts in Russia," stated the press service of the ministry.

The ministry further highlighted the modus operandi of the recruiters, emphasizing their preference for exploiting dating sites as platforms for recruitment. By analyzing conversations within online groups, recruiters target vulnerable individuals, often identifying them based on religious, cultural, national, or other social characteristics. Individuals experiencing depression or other personal difficulties are particularly susceptible to these recruitment tactics.

"The representative office calls on Kyrgyzstanis living or temporarily staying in Russia not to succumb to various provocations, not to find employment through social networks, not to participate in various events, and also to exercise control over children," emphasized the ministry.

Moreover, authorities underscored the severe legal consequences associated with involvement in terrorist activities, noting that participation in such acts could lead to life imprisonment under Kyrgyz criminal law.