Azerbaijan busts criminal network linked to illegal armed groups abroad VIDEO

The State Security Service of Azerbaijan has carried out a major operation targeting Azerbaijani citizens involved in illegal armed groups and activities coordinated by foreign intelligence services.

The move follows intelligence indicating that these individuals were being used for reconnaissance, sabotage, terrorist, and subversive purposes abroad, the State Security Service told Caliber.Az.

The investigation exposed Azerbaijani nationals who identified themselves as part of the “criminal world” and who participated in organizing the activities of illegal armed formations overseas. The suspects were also involved in surveillance of foreign officials and other criminal operations.

Following the identification of Amid Samaddin Mammadov (born 1995) abroad, he was apprehended during operational-investigative measures, brought back to Azerbaijan, and placed under investigation.

Two other suspects, Nurlan Ilham Safarov (born 1997) and Edik Nabi Israfilov (born 1983), were also detained and held criminally accountable.

All three individuals face charges under Articles 12.1 and 279.1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, relating to participation abroad in activities of armed formations not authorized under Azerbaijani law. A court has imposed pre-trial detention on all three suspects.

Authorities confirmed that further updates on ongoing operations and additional individuals facing prosecution will be provided to the public.

By Vafa Guliyeva