AZERBAIJANI NATIONAL SECURITY MINISTRY DETAINS RADICAL RELIGIOUS GROUP COMPRISING AZERBAIJAN CITIZENS

Baku, February 16 (AzerTAc). As earlier reported, as a result of the
counter-intelligence measures undertaken by the National Security Ministry in the field of combat against the international terrorism, a radical religious group comprising Azerbaijani citizens was exposed and neutralized. The group, linked with the international terrorisms network, set up an illegal armed unit and planned to commit illegal actions aiming to undermine socio-political stability and order, as
well as impede the state’s secular and democratic development in Azerbaijan.

As stated, members of the armed unit purchased, smuggled, conveyed and stored
firearms and explosives, as well as committed acts of terrorism, robbery and other
crimes in the country. The group members assisted Samir Mehdiyev with nickname
“Suleyman”, who was one of members of the Mesha Gardashlari (Forest Brothers) armed
unit and charged with act of terrorism at the Abu Bakr Mosque on August 17, 2008, to
avoid investigation in Azerbaijan and hide in other country.
As a result of intensive measures, two other members of the unit, Amil Khalilov and
Ibadat Alazovi were detained.
It was found out that under the order of the group leader Azar Misirkhanov with
nickname “Abdulla”, the group member Faig Jafarov came to the Tovuz region together
with suspected Samir Mehdiyev in September 2008 and handed him over Ibadat Alazovi
here. Then, Alazovi illegally took Mehdiyev across Azerbaijan’s “Jandargol” area to
a foreign country.
Also was revealed that in September and November 2008, Alazovi jointly with Amil
Khalilov smuggled great amount of weapons, including grenade launchers, submachine
gun and pistols, as well as grenades and other ammunition to Azerbaijan in
Khalilov’s car VAZ-21013 and handed them over the group member Jafarov in the
Balakan region.
Thus, as a result of investigation, the criminal acts of the abovementioned illegal
group were completely proved.
As earlier reported, the Ministry has detained three plastids or so-called
“kamikadze belt” containing 5 kilograms of explosives, one TNT of 200 grams, two
RPQ-7 hand grenade and 5 shells, two Mukha hand grenades, 7 AKS guns, two AKSU guns,
one UZI guns, 1 EAGLE gun, three Makarov revolvers, one Magnum revolver, one Umarex
revolver, one Sig Sauer revolver, one Fort-14 revolver and a gun silencer, one
Winchester gun, 57 different types of guns and cartridge clips, 60 electric
detonators, 22 explosive remote control, 22 explosive remote controls, 12 F-1
handmade grenades, 11 RQD-5 handmade grenades, 5 foreign-produced handmade grenade,
25 grenade launchers, 12 capsules for detonator, 20 KENWOOD radio stations, 10
signal rockets, 1 clockwork meant for explosive, one compass and bullets of various
length and other ammunition.
The National Security Ministry’s Central Investigation Department has filed a case
on Article 279.1 (organizing illegal armed groups) of Penal Code, Article 29.
214.2.1 (attempt of terrorism by a group of people), Article 29.214.2.3 ( attempt of
terrorism by using fire arms), Article 29.228.2.1 (acquisition, transfer and storage
of fire arms by an armed group), Article 229.1 (preparing fire arm, ammunition and
explosives), Article 181.2., 181.2.5 (robbery), Article 206.3.2 (arms smuggling) and
Article 234.1 (acquisition and storage of drugs for non-sale purposes ).
Investigation is underway to determine other members of the criminal group and bring
to responsibility, on which the public will be informed.

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