OMM Redaksiyası
The State Security Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SSS) has uncovered alleged crimes involving secret organization, preparation for terrorism and terrorist financing by Azerbaijani and foreign nationals during anti-terror and operational-search measures.
"Operative Information Center-OMM" reports that the SSS Press Service issued a statement on the matter.
It said the measures established that Vugar Abdullayev, previously convicted of crimes committed as part of the “Sumgait Jamaat” terrorist group, had entered into a criminal arrangement with Azerbaijani citizens Jalal Hajiyev, Javid Aliyev, Nicat Ahmadov, Nazim Aliyev, Ilkin Hasanazada and others to assassinate public and religious figures in Azerbaijan. Their clandestine meetings and telephone conversations held for this purpose were recorded and documented in accordance with legal procedures.
Investigative and operational measures launched as part of the criminal case established that members of the criminal association had collected information on the regular travel routes and personal security arrangements of Azerbaijani citizens selected in advance as targets, with the aim of assassinating them. They had also agreed to flee to conflict zones abroad after carrying out the planned crimes.
Investigators also established that Jalal Hajiyev, both directly and through Azerbaijani citizens residing abroad — Ayxan Huseynov, Elshan Asgarov, Fakhraddin Imanov, Nail Rasulov, Elgun Ismayilov and others — organized the financing, through cryptocurrency systems, of individuals participating in armed conflicts abroad driven by religious radicalism, including members of internationally recognized terrorist organizations.
Numerous reliable pieces of evidence were obtained regarding the sources of funds collected by the individuals through fake advertisements posted on social networks under the guise of conducting various religious rituals, as well as the mechanisms used to transfer the money, in connection with the financing of terrorism.
As a result of joint measures with the security and special services of other countries, a broad network of a criminal association comprising individuals based in various countries and involved in financing international terrorism was exposed. Parallel anti-terror operations in five countries resulted in the detention of 10 members of the group. Elshan Asgarov, who was detained abroad, was extradited to Azerbaijan.
Vugar Abdullayev, Jalal Hajiyev, Javid Aliyev, Nicat Ahmadov, Nazim Aliyev, Ilkin Hasanazada, Ayxan Huseynov, Elshan Asgarov, Fakhraddin Imanov, Nail Rasulov and Elgun Ismayilov were prosecuted as accused persons in the criminal case investigated under Articles 214-1, 218.1, 28 and 277 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan — financing terrorism, forming a criminal association or organization, and preparing an attempt on the life of a state or public figure — as well as other articles. A court ordered their detention as a preventive measure.
The investigative and operational measures in the criminal case are ongoing.
The State Security Service is Azerbaijan’s principal agency responsible for countering threats to national security, including terrorism and terrorist financing. International cooperation is commonly used in cross-border investigations involving suspects, financial transfers and individuals located in multiple jurisdictions.
