Moscow police have detained Alisher Ismatzoda, a coach of the Russian youth freestyle wrestling team, on terrorism charges. 

Russian media reports say a court in Moscow’s Shcherbinka district has granted the investigation’s petition to arrest Russian youth freestyle wrestling coach Alisher Ismatzoda.  Investigators have reported asked the court to place the 32-year-old Ismatzoda, who is a native of Tajikistan, in pretrial detention facility on charge of recruiting people to conduct terrorist acts (Article 205 (1) of Russia’s Penal Code). 

RIA Novosti news agency says the Moscow’s Shcherbinka court has ruled to take Alisher Ismatzoda under custody until August 28, 2024.   

The investigator in the case reportedly stated at the court hearing that one of relatives of Ismatzoda is fighting alongside terrorists in Syria and is also being prosecuted for terrorism in Tajikistan.

The investigator noted that Ismatzoda was previously a citizen of Tajikistan and he has strong connections in this country. 

According to him, Ismatzoda allegedly also transferred funds to persons who have been convicted of terrorist activities or are suspected of similar crimes.

Meanwhile, Alisher Ismatzoda said that he did not maintain communication with a relative who went to Syria or any other people professing radical Islam.  He noted that he is a family man professing traditional Islam. 

If convicted, Alisher Ismatzoda may face up to 15 years in prison.