Azerbaijan detains 10 over alleged terrorism financing, assassination plot VIDEO

Azerbaijan’s State Security Service (SSS) has detained 10 people in a multinational counter-terrorism operation over alleged involvement in terrorism financing, preparations for attacks on public and religious figures, and membership of a criminal organisation, the SSS said.

“Criminal activities involving Azerbaijani and foreign nationals related to clandestine organisation, preparation for terrorism and the financing of terrorism have been uncovered,” Caliber.Az quotes the agency as saying.

According to the SSS, Vugar Abdullayev, who had previously been convicted for crimes committed as a member of the terrorist group known as the “Sumgayit Jamaat”, entered into a criminal conspiracy with Azerbaijani citizens Jalal Hajiyev, Javid Aliyev, Nijat Ahmadov, Nazim Aliyev, Ilkin Hasanzade and others.

The group allegedly planned attacks on public and religious figures in Azerbaijan. Their secret meetings and telephone conversations were recorded and documented, the SSS said.

Investigators also established that members of the group had selected their intended targets in advance and gathered information on their “regular routes and personal security arrangements” in preparation for the alleged attacks.

The suspects had also agreed to flee to conflict zones abroad after carrying out the planned crimes, according to the agency.

The investigation further established that Hajiyev had organised the financing of individuals participating in armed conflicts abroad on religious-radical grounds, including members of internationally recognised terrorist organisations, the SSS said.

The financing was allegedly organised both directly and through Azerbaijani nationals residing abroad, using cryptocurrency systems.

The SSS said investigators had obtained “substantial evidence” concerning funds collected through fake advertisements on social networks under the guise of organising various religious rituals.

The evidence included information on the “source of the funds, as well as the mechanisms used to transfer” the money, the agency said.

The operation was conducted jointly with security and special services from other countries. According to the SSS, the measures exposed a wider network of individuals residing in different countries who were allegedly involved in financing international terrorism.

“Parallel counter-terrorism measures in five countries resulted in the detention of a total of 10 members of the group,” the agency said.

Elshan Asgarov, who was detained abroad, was subsequently extradited to Azerbaijan, according to the SSS.

The suspects — Vugar Abdullayev, Jalal Hajiyev, Javid Aliyev, Nijat Ahmadov, Nazim Aliyev, Ilkin Hasanzade, Aykhan Huseynov, Elshan Asgarov, Fakhraddin Imanov, Nail Rasulov and Elgun Ismayilov — have been charged under Articles 214-1, 218.1 and 28, 277 of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code and other provisions, the agency said.

The charges include financing terrorism, establishing a criminal association and preparing an attempt on the life of a state or public figure.

A court has ordered the suspects to be remanded in custody.

The SSS said investigative and operational measures in the case are continuing.

By Vugar Khalilov