Azerbaijani border guards open fire on unidentified vessel in Caspian Sea PHOTO / VIDEO

The Azerbaijani State Border Service has announced that the border forces opened fire on an unidentified vessel in the Caspian Sea after the crew ignored orders to stop. 

At approximately 21:55 (GMT+4) on May 1, the Main Command and Control Centre of the Coast Guard detected a high-speed vessel operating just 0.3 nautical miles off the coast, moving toward the Salyan anchorage area, the State Border Service told Caliber.Az. 

The vessel was classified as suspicious due to its speed and proximity to Azerbaijan’s territorial waters. 

A patrol ship was immediately dispatched to intercept the intruder, and coastal border units were mobilised to secure the shoreline. At 22:40, the patrol crew issued verbal warnings through light and sound signals, followed by a warning shot. The individuals on board failed to comply and instead attempted to flee the area. 

In response, and in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On the State Border" the coast guard used firearms to stop the vessel. Both individuals on board were injured during the incident.

By Naila Huseynova