Azerbaijan's State Security Service (SSS) has uncovered alleged criminal activities by Azerbaijani and foreign citizens involving a clandestine organization and preparation of terrorist acts and the financing of terrorism during counterterrorism and operational-search measures.
According to SİA, citing the SSS, the investigation established that Vugar Abdullayev, who had previously been convicted of crimes committed as part of a terrorist group known as the Sumgayit Jamaat, had allegedly established criminal links with Azerbaijani citizens Jalal Hajiyev, Javid Aliyev, Nijat Ahmadov, Nazim Aliyev, Ilkin Hasanzade and others with the aim of plotting attacks on the lives of public and religious figures in Azerbaijan.
The SSS said their clandestine meetings and telephone conversations held for this purpose had been recorded and documented.
Investigative and operational measures conducted as part of the criminal case allegedly established that members of the criminal group had gathered information on Azerbaijani citizens selected in advance as targets, studying their regular travel routes and personal security arrangements.
According to the SSS, the suspects had also agreed to flee to conflict zones abroad after carrying out the planned crimes.
The investigation further established that Jalal Hajiyev had allegedly organized financing through cryptocurrency systems, both personally and through Azerbaijani citizens living abroad, including Aykhan Huseynov, Elshan Asgarov, Fakhraddin Imanov, Nail Rasulov, Elgun Ismayilov and others, for individuals participating in armed conflicts abroad on the grounds of religious radicalism, including members of internationally recognized terrorist organizations.
The SSS said investigators had obtained extensive evidence concerning the source of funds allegedly collected under the guise of various religious rituals through fictitious advertisements distributed on social media, as well as the mechanisms used to transfer the money.
As a result of joint operations with the security agencies of other countries, authorities uncovered what the SSS described as a broad criminal network comprising individuals living in different countries and involved in financing international terrorism.
A total of 10 members of the group were detained in simultaneous counterterrorism operations conducted in five countries. Elshan Asgarov, who was detained abroad, was extradited to Azerbaijan.
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, 28 and 277 of Azerbaijan's Criminal Code, covering terrorism financing, creation of a criminal community or organization, preparation for an attempt on the life of a state or public figure, as well as other offenses.
A court ordered their pretrial detention.
Operational and investigative measures in the criminal case are continuing.
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