Azeri Taliban fighters go on trial

BAKU, July 17 (Itar-Tass) -- Thirteen Azerbaijani nationals went on
trial in the Court on grave crimes Thursday for fighting on the Taliban
side in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
They are also accused of illegal keeping and sales of weapons and
munitions.
If found guilty, they may get from three to eight years in jail.
All the accused were trained in Iran to fight against the western
coalition, according to investigators from the national security ministry
of Azerbaijan. In 2005-2008 they numerously crossed the border from Iran
into Pakistan and further to Afghanistan. They were detained upon return
to Azerbaijan.
Some accused pleaded guilty, while others not guilty.
"We acted by the will of Allah. The Koran calls to fight those who are
against Allah, therefore we went to Afghanistan to defend Muslims," one of
the accused said.