'Black Widow' Suicide Bomber Sought In Russia; Seen as Threat to Olympics; May Be Already in Sochi

Black Widow Suicide Bomber: There is an urgent search in Russia for a "Black Widow" suicide bomber who may target the upcoming Olympics. Authorities worried the Black Widow suicide bomber may already be in Sochi. They are also afraid there may be 3 or four Black Widow suicide bombers already in position.

Police in Sochi launched an urgent search for a possible female suicide bomber, who they dub a Black Widow bomber. The police fear the Black Widow bomber may have already made it past the security that has been set up for the Olympic Games.

ABC News reported that Hotel employees in Sochi were shown pictures and descriptions of a 22-year-old woman from nearby Dagestan who they believe might be one of the Black Widow suicide bombers. Posters and flyer have also been posted at Sochi's airport.

Russian security services may be looking for as many as four "black widows." The suicide bombers may have been dispatched to carry out terrorist attacks related to the Winter Olympics. U.S. and Russian sources told NBC News that one black widow suicide bomber is believed to be in or near the Olympic city of Sochi.

The woman is identified as Ruzanna Ibragimova is  the widow of a militant who was killed in shootout in the Dagestan region of Russia. Russian authorities have  identified Ibragimova as a possible suicide bomber. They believe she might already be in Sochi for the Olympic Games. The Black Widow suicide bomber also goes by the name Ruzan, or Ruzana, Ibragimova and isalso known as Salima.

Police believe Ruzanna Ibragimova is affiliated with the Caucasus Emirate, the terror group led by Doku Umarov. The group has threatened attacks against the Winter Games in Sochi.

Police describe Ibragimova as having a 10 centimeter scar across her left cheek. They say the Black Widow has a noticeable limp. She can also be ID'd by a stiff left arm that doesn't bend at the elbow.

The wanted poster says Ibragimova left Dagestan earlier this month and arrived in Sochi about ten days ago.

Georgetown University professor Christopher Swift, who has studied militant groups in the North  Caucasus says "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. The specific worry is that she's a woman and because of that it's easier for women to infiltrate indoor or outdoor venues, that she could be a bomb carrier."

He said it is rare for the group's suicide bombers to operate alone, "Usually, in the past, when we've seen female suicide bombings, there's either been two women who are both bombers." 

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black widow suicide bomber
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