MOSCOW, July 5 (RAPSI) – The Moscow Military District Court has sentenced two natives of Russia’s Republic of Chechnya, who attempted to join the Islamic State militants in Syria, to 4 years in prison, RIA Novosti reported on Tuesday.

Additionally, they were fined 10,000 rubles ($157).

The defendants have been arrested while attempting to leave Russia and set off for Syria crossing Ukraine and Turkey with forged passports.

The court found them guilty of creating a terrorist organization, fictitious registration of foreigners and document forgery. The accused persons have pleaded guilty, according to the Federal Security Service (FSB).

The Islamic State is currently one of the major threats to global security. Over three years, these terrorists have managed to seize large areas of Iraq and Syria. The organization is also attempting to spread its influence to North Africa – particularly, Libya. The area controlled by ISIS covers up to 90,000 square kilometers.