FSB Thwarts Terrorist Attack at Pavel Volya Concert in Pyatigorsk

The Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia successfully thwarted a terrorist attack planned for a concert by comedian Pavel Volya at the Sofia Palace of Culture in Pyatigorsk. According to sources , 24-year-old Isroiljon Kurbonov, a Tajik citizen, intended to ignite a fire in the building during the performance scheduled for April 16, 2025. Acting on directives from ISIS operatives, Kurbonov was apprehended on the day of the concert.

Authorities confiscated three Molotov cocktails, two knives, an axe, and a sapper shovel from the suspect. The concert was canceled just hours before it was set to begin, officially citing “technical reasons,” which left the audience unaware of the imminent threat.

The investigation revealed that Kurbonov received instructions via Telegram from foreign ISIS representatives. To execute the attack, he prepared three Molotov cocktails and conducted reconnaissance of the venue a week prior, documenting the Palace of Culture with photos and videos. His arrest was carried out without incident, and he admitted his intention to start a fire to create chaos.

A criminal case has been initiated against Kurbonov under the charges of preparing for a terrorist act, specifically under Part 1 of Article 30 and Subparagraph “a” of Part 2 of Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The FSB is currently working to uncover any connections between Kurbonov and potential accomplices, as well as investigating his plans to flee Russia to engage in military activities in Syria following the attack.

In February 2025, the FSB had already disrupted a series of planned attacks in the Stavropol region, where another ISIS supporter aimed to ignite administrative buildings using incendiary devices.