Russian police have detained a 14-year-old schoolgirl after she poured flammable liquid over a petrol station pump and set it alight in the Moscow region.
Investigators opened a criminal case against the teenager on terrorism charges after she told officers that unknown callers instructed her by telephone to carry out the attack.
Arson at the petrol station
The incident occurred at a filling station on Pervomayskaya Street in Misaylovo, an urban-type settlement in Moscow Oblast, just south of the capital. According to the regional branch of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, police were alerted after the girl doused one of the fuel dispensers with combustible liquid and ignited it.
Staff working at the fuel station moved quickly to contain the flames before the fire could spread across the forecourt or reach fuel storage tanks. The employees detained the teenager at the scene and held her until arriving police officers took her into custody.
Officers transported the 14-year-old to a local territorial police department for questioning. During the interview, which was conducted in the presence of her legal representatives, she stated that she had been acting under the direction of unknown individuals who gave her instructions over the phone.
Terrorism investigation
The press service for the regional police department confirmed the case to Russian news outlet Lenta.ru. Investigators have formally opened proceedings under Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for committing a terrorist act, as well as under Article 167 for intentional destruction of or damage to property.
Under the Russian Criminal Code, general criminal responsibility begins at 16, but the age threshold drops to 14 for serious crimes including terrorism. Article 205 covers acts involving explosions, arson or other actions that endanger lives or property, and convictions carry severe prison terms. Article 167 penalises deliberate property damage, with heavier sanctions applied when offences involve arson.
The settlement of Misaylovo lies in the Leninsky district of the Moscow region, an area surrounding the Russian capital where federal policing is overseen by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Authorities have placed the girl under a written pledge not to leave the area and to maintain good conduct, a standard Russian pre-trial measure that obliges suspects to remain at home and report to investigators while inquiry into the phone handlers continues.
