Russian authorities say arrest of six men 'prevented another terrorist act'

Russian authorities arrested six men on Friday as suspects in the deadly December 27 car bombing in the southern city of Pyatigorsk that killed three people.

The National Anti-terrorism Committee released a statement that said the six suspects, whose names were not released, admitted guilt and that their arrest "has prevented another terrorist act" although the committee did not provide further explanation.

The car bombing took place on December 27 when 50 kilograms of TNT exploded outside a traffic police building. Two suicide bombings followed on December 28 and 29 in the southern city of Volgograd, that killed at least 34 people.

Security in Russia has been heightened in the lead up to next month's Winter Olympics in Sochi. Violent incidents prompted Emergency Services Minister Vladimir Puchkov to announce Russian security forces would be on "combat alert" beginning January 7 to ensure the safety of the games.

[RIA Novosti]