Russian authorities detain 14-year-old over alleged railway sabotage

Russian police and the Federal Security Service (FSB) have detained a 14-year-old boy from St Petersburg on suspicion of setting fire to a railway signalling cabinet in the Leningrad region, authorities said.

According to Russia's Transport Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the North-West Federal District, the teenager is accused of targeting a relay cabinet on the railway line between Melnichny Ruchey and Rzhevka stations in the Vsevolozhsky district, Russian media reports. 

Investigators said the suspect allegedly used bottles filled with a flammable liquid, which authorities say had been purchased from a DIY store, to carry out the attack.

Officials said the teenager told investigators he had acted on instructions from an unidentified individual who contacted him through a messaging app.

Russian authorities have opened a criminal case under Article 205 of the Criminal Code, which covers terrorism-related offences. The court has imposed restrictions on the teenager's activities while the investigation continues.

By Sabina Mammadli