AZE.US
Azerbaijan’s State Security Service said it had uncovered an alleged criminal network suspected of plotting assassinations and financing terrorism.
Joint operations with foreign security services were conducted simultaneously in five countries, AZE.US reports. Ten alleged members of the group were detained during the operations, while one of them, Elshan Asgarov, was extradited to Azerbaijan.
Investigators allege that Vugar Abdullayev, who had previously been convicted of crimes committed as part of a group known as the “Sumgayit Jamaat,” entered into a conspiracy with several Azerbaijani citizens to assassinate public and religious figures. The security service said the suspects’ secret meetings and telephone conversations had been documented.
According to the investigation, members of the group monitored the regular routes and security arrangements of selected targets and planned to flee to conflict zones abroad after carrying out the alleged attacks.
The State Security Service also alleged that Jalal Hajiyev and associated individuals organized cryptocurrency financing for people involved in armed conflicts abroad, including internationally recognized terrorist organizations. Investigators said funds were collected through fraudulent social media advertisements presented as donations for religious ceremonies.
Eleven people have been formally charged in the case: Vugar Abdullayev, Jalal Hajiyev, Javid Aliyev, Nijat Ahmadov, Nazim Aliyev, Ilkin Hasanzade, Aykhan Huseynov, Elshan Asgarov, Fakhraddin Imanov, Nail Rasulov and Elgun Ismayilov.
The charges include financing terrorism, creating a criminal organization and preparing an assassination attempt against a state or public figure. A court ordered the defendants held in pretrial detention.
The investigation and related operations are continuing.
AZE.US