A Russian citizen has been detained in Colombia at the request of American authorities, facing allegations of orchestrating a conspiracy to murder or kidnap two prominent European figures.
Transatlantic operation leads to Bogota detention
Denis Alimov was apprehended at Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport during the night of 24-25 February 2026 under an Interpol Red Notice. The arrest warrant originated from the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, issued on 18 December 2025. Alimov had arrived in Colombia aboard a Turkish Airlines flight and was transiting to Cartagena when authorities intercepted him based on the international alert. The detention follows earlier reports of his impending capture through regional security channels.
Substantial financial inducements for targeted operations
Court documents allege Alimov transferred $60,000 to finance a covert operation targeting two unspecified European individuals. He reportedly promised contracted operatives $1.5 million for each successful assassination. The Russian national is accused of providing technical surveillance data including IP addresses and telephone numbers of the intended victims, while coordinating the activities of accomplices across multiple jurisdictions. One alleged co-conspirator was previously arrested in New York during March 2025.
Links to Russian special services emerge
Investigative materials suggest Alimov served as a high-ranking officer in Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) Centre for Special Purposes. Until at least 2022, he allegedly operated within the specialised “Vympel” unit under the pseudonym “Ariyets” (Aryan). His background in state security structures indicates potential institutional connections to the alleged conspiracy, with security analysts noting his former position involved covert operations training and execution.
International legal proceedings commence
The United States Department of Justice is preparing extradition proceedings to bring Alimov before federal courts in New York. Legal experts anticipate the case will establish an evidentiary record documenting transnational assassination planning, potentially supporting further sanctions mechanisms against Russian entities. The targeted European figures’ identities remain classified within ongoing investigations, though the substantial financial allocations suggest high-profile political or influential targets.
