SOCIETY
SUBVERSIVE AND TERRORIST GROUP APPREHENDED
The statement says that members of the group – residents of Baku Ilkin Ismaylov, 24, Faig Kerimov, 26, Farid Aslanov, 25, Emil Novruzov, 28, Emin Akbarov, 23, Tarlan Alimardanov,23 and resident of Agstafa province Vusal Bayramov – having preliminary colluded with one another, were engaged in acquiring explosives and their components to prepare themselves for terrorist attacks.
The investigation has revealed that as early as late in May of 2004 Ilkin Ismaylov together with his earlier convicted accomplices - also characterized by radical religious views - robbed $62 from the house of his uncle Nazir Guliyev, whom he regarded as an “apostate”. After the money was divided among the suspects, Ilkin escaped to Istabbul, Turkey with an intention to establish some day Sharia law (Islamic law) in Azerbaijan. To this end, as well as to participate in “Jihad” against anti-terror coalition in Afghanistan and Iraq, in early 2005, he began to involve like-minded persons in this business, and finally formed a group named Jamaat Al-Muvahidun and consisting of the above-mentioned, Faig Kerimov, Farid Aslanov, Emil Novruzov, Emin Akbarov, Tarlan Alimardanov and Vusal Bayramov. Having been elected leader (Emir) of the group, Ilkin Ismaylov decided to organize special trainings for its members in military camps in one of the Middle East countries. However, they failed to do so because of confrontation on religious grounds occurred among mojaheds involved in fighting anti-terror coalition in Afghanistan and Iraq, and had to return to Baku. Ilkin Ismaylov himself came back here later, and, having alleged the impossibility to go Iraq and Afghanistan, suggested carrying out “jihad” in the territory of Azerbaijan.
The group members planned killing representatives of authorities and law enforcement bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic, who has been cooperating with anti-terror coalition, and whom they regarded as “apostates”, blasts in Embassies and other missions of USA, Israel and Russia in Baku, offices of the State Oil Company, National Bank, House of Government and other strategic objects, as well as in the most crowded places of the capital to evoke panic among population, and after that, to issue relevant statements on the internet. For these purposes, they acquired ammunition, explosives and components to make explosive devices to prepare for terrorist acts.
As a result of a special operation conducted on July 12, 2005 by the Ministry of National Security, members of the terrorist group Jamaat Al-Muvahidun were apprehended. During a search at their place, employees of the Ministry discovered: statement written on behalf of the Jamaat Al-Muvahidun and containing threats to secular and democratic statehood and anti-terror policy of Azerbaijan; 5 explosives including trotyl cartridges weighting 200 g each; 3 electric detonators; 1 Bickford's fuse; variety of chemicals, schemes and instructions for making explosive devices; 2 metal containers and 1 bayonet, which is regarded as cold steel.
In accordance with relevant articles of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic, the Court on Grave Crimes sentenced Ilkin Ismaylov to 15 years, Faig Kerimov and Farid Aslanov to 10 years, and Vusal Bayramov, Emin Akbarov and Tarlan Alimardanov to 9 years of imprisonment.
The Ministry of National Security assures the public it will continue to nip terrorist and other actions against society and state in the bud, and take necessary measures to protect national interests, and ensure security and stability in the country.