Azerbaijan’s State Security Service foils sabotage plots planned by the IRGC VIDEO

As a result of complex counter-intelligence measures carried out by Azerbaijan’s State Security Service (SSS), attempts by Iran’s special service — the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — to organise terrorist and sabotage acts in Azerbaijan and collect intelligence information have been thwarted.

According to a report aired on Azerbaijan Television (AzTV) and cited by Report News Agency, the SSS said the targets selected to create panic in society and damage the country’s international reputation included the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Embassy of Israel in Azerbaijan, one of the leaders of the Mountain Jews Religious Community, and the Ashkenazi Synagogue in Baku.

The investigation established that Iranian citizens Rustamzada Behnam Sahibali and Zandkian Yaser Rahim established criminal ties with Azerbaijani citizen Tarkhan Tarlan oglu Guliyev and organised the smuggling of explosive devices into the country. A container located near the Shikhov settlement in the Sabail district was found to contain 7.73 kilograms of C-4 explosive.

The investigation also determined that, on instructions from individuals linked to the IRGC, two more remotely controlled C-4 explosive devices were smuggled into the country and hidden in different locations. In addition, another explosive device weighing 1,280 grams with a blast radius of 250–300 metres was discovered in the Garadagh district.

The probe further revealed that individuals connected to the IRGC had prepared a plan to assassinate a public figure in Azerbaijan. For this purpose, local accomplices were instructed to conduct photo and video surveillance of the target’s workplace and to obtain weapons and a vehicle.

As a result of preventive operational measures carried out by the SSS, the terrorist plots were thwarted. Azerbaijani citizens Tarkhan Tarlan oglu Guliyev, Nijat Zaman oglu Aghayev, Asad Tofig oglu Abdullayev, and Rashad Farhad oglu Rustamov were found guilty under relevant articles and sentenced to six years and six months in prison.

Narmina Ramiz gizi Shabanova and Naib Aghaismi oglu Ismiyev were charged with preparing an assassination attempt on a public figure, while Elvin Bahruz oglu Ahmadov was charged with illegal possession of weapons and explosives. A pre-trial detention measure was chosen against them.

The investigation also established that Colonel Ali Asghar Bordbar Sherami, an officer of the IRGC Intelligence Organisation, was involved in organising the terrorist plans. Iranian citizens Zandkian Yaser Rahim, Rustamzada Behnam Sahibali, Azarundbileh Hosein Savar Saber, and Sheikhzadeh Sajjad Moghadam Sati Sofi Evad have been placed on the international wanted list.

The SSS stated that operational and investigative measures regarding terrorist and sabotage plans by foreign intelligence services in Azerbaijan are ongoing.