BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 18. Criminal acts
involving preparations for assassination attempts against public
and religious figures were uncovered during anti-terror and
operational-search measures carried out by the State Security
Service (SSS) of Azerbaijan.


This was reported by the Press Service of the Azerbaijani
SSS.


According to the SSS, the investigation revealed that Vugar
Abdullayev, who had previously been convicted for criminal
activities as a member of the "Sumgayit Community" terrorist group,
had entered into a criminal conspiracy with other individuals to
carry out an assassination in Azerbaijan.


According to the information, the group members gathered
intelligence by monitoring the travel routes and security
arrangements of pre-selected targets and planned to flee to
conflict zones abroad after executing the planned crimes.


The SSS said that covert meetings and telephone conversations
were recorded and documented during the operations.







Moreover, as a result of joint operations with the security and
special services of other states, a broad criminal
network—comprising individuals residing in various countries and
involved in financing international terrorism—has been exposed. A
total of 10 members of the group were detained following parallel
counter-terrorism operations across five countries. Among those
detained abroad, Elshan Asgarov has been extradited to
Azerbaijan.


Criminal group members 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 in connection with a criminal
case involving offenses under Articles 214-1, 218.1, 28, and 277 of
the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan (financing of terrorism;
establishment of a criminal association/organization; preparation
for an attempt on the life of a state or public figure) and other
articles; a court has ordered their detention as a preventive
measure.


Investigative and operational activities regarding the criminal
case are currently ongoing.