14 DAY TRIAL // After a group of Islamist militants released a video warning people of a “surprise package” for the Sochi Olympics, Russian forces became even more concerned with security issues. In their attempt to avoid major tragedies because of terrorists attacks, they have begun an extensive search for potential suicide bombers.
The first lead they had concerns a female suicide bomber who allegedly already managed to make her way through the security set at the Olympic Games. The woman, identified as Ruzanna Ibragimova, going under the name of Salima, is the widow of a militant killed by police in Dagestan last year, explains ABC News.
She appeared to be a member of the Caucasus Emirate terror group that threatened the Sochi Games just a few days ago.
Wanted posters featuring the woman were spread all over the city, including in hotels and airports, in order to alert people and apprehend the suspected terrorist.
According to the information gathered by investigators so far, Salima left Dagestan at the beginning of the month and arrived in Sochi almost ten days ago. The fact that she managed to infiltrate the security's “ring of steel” only makes participants fear for their safety even more.
Foreign officials are also concerned about the way Russian forces are managing to handle the terrorist threat.
“The fact that one individual either was able to stay in the area before the ring of steel went up or get through it really raises questions about the strength of the Russia security apparatus,” Christopher Swift, Georgetown University professor specializing in North Caucasus militant groups, told ABC.
Despite their struggle to join the security forces for the Olympics, the U.S. was allowed just a small team of personnel in Sochi, with Russian forces being set on managing the situation on their own.
Concerns for people's safety are just growing every day, and many guests are beginning to have second thoughts whether the Russian security forces will be able to protect them from an attack.
What a few months ago was seen as just a rumor is now a high-priority alert, and a constant subject of debate for political forces trying to find the best course of action for the matter.