Azerbaijan's State Security Service nabs extremist group plotting sabotage, hostage crisis PHOTO

Azerbaijan's State Security Service (SSS) has revealed the discovery of an extremist group planning a series of sabotage acts and hostage-taking.

The group, consisting of Azerbaijani citizens Fakhraddin Shahmurov, Jalal Muradov, Kamran Babayev, and others, aimed to carry out serious criminal activities targeting the country's constitutional order, Caliber.Az reports citing the State Security Service.

Following a detailed investigation, the SSS uncovered that the group was preparing to attack state institutions, conducting secret meetings and organizing covert groups on social media.

A key meeting, involving a foreign national, saw the group proposing a flag for their criminal network, with Shahmurov designated as the leader responsible for planning future offences.

The group’s plot included an attempt to seize a customs post on Azerbaijan's border, where they intended to take hostages, including customs officials and other personnel, to make demands on behalf of the criminal organization. Thanks to prompt action by authorities, the plot was foiled before it could be executed.

Shahmurov, Muradov, and Babayev have been charged with various criminal offences under Azerbaijan's Criminal Code, and detention orders have been issued. Investigations continue into other individuals involved in the group.

By Aghakazim Guliyev