MOSCOW, August 14 (RAPSI) – The North Caucasus District Military Court has sentenced a native of the Republic of Ingushetia Abdul-Malik Albakchiyev to 9 years in prison for joining the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organization banned in Russia, the court’s spokesperson Alena Katkalo has told RAPSI.

The court found that the defendant took part in warfare on the ISIS side in Syria from February to March 2015. He was arrested on his return to Russia in mid-March 2015.

The man has been charged with engagement in terrorist activity, illegal purchase, delivery, sale, storage, transport or bearing of explosives or explosive devices.

According to the court’s spokesperson, Albakchiyev has pleaded not guilty.

The Islamic State, an organization which is prohibited in Russia, 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. Currently, various forces combat the organization in both countries with battle for Iraqi Mosul as one of the most crucial directions.