State Security Service and Interior Ministry neutralise extremist group in Gusar region

The State Security Service (SSS) and the Interior Ministry of Azerbaijan (IMA) have reported the liquidation of a radical extremist group in Gusar region. It is reported that 8 members of the group were killed while offering armed resistance, and 6 were arrested.

According to a joint report of the SSS and the IMA, it was established in the course of operational and investigative actions that Gadir Hajiyev, previously convicted for participation in the terrorist group ‘Forest Brothers’, entered into a criminal conspiracy with residents of Gusar region - Kamran Kerimkhanov, Umud Gulaliyev, Valerik Adilov, Riyad Safaraliyev, Rovshan Lachinov, Nazimo Zakiyev and others.

They were preparing terrorist acts, and for that purpose they had set up underground shelters in the forests around the villages of Khil, Jibir and Yasab, equipped with weapons, ammunition, technical devices and other supplies.

At the first stage, a member of the group, Alipasha Kamilov, was located. During the operation to capture him in the town of Gusar, Kamilov resisted by throwing two grenades at the special forces.

As a result, a special forces officer was wounded and Kamilov was neutralised. In the course of continued operational-search activities, shelters and caches were identified in the forest area in the village of Jibir. When offering armed resistance, the members of the group: Gadir Hajiyev, Riyad Safaraliyev, Valerik Adilov and Umud Gulaliyev were liquidated.

During an inspection of the identified safe houses, explosive materials used in the manufacture of explosive devices, two Kalashnikov assault rifles, three hunting rifles, ammunition and the flag of an internationally recognised terrorist organisation were found.

Other members of the terrorist group, Nazim Zakiyev, Kamran Kerimkhanov and Rovshan Lachinov, were later located in the village of Khil. All three were also liquidated when they put up armed resistance.

It was further revealed that members of the group were storing explosives in the ‘Motel’ guest house in the town of Gusar and on the roof of a nearby car wash.

A member of the group, Etibar Akhmedov, was injured while making the explosives.

The involvement of Etibar Akhmedov, Sharafaddin Mahmudov and other residents of the Gusar region in the activities of the illegal armed group was also established.

Etibar Akhmedov, Rahim Mirzabekov, David Rashidov, Sharafaddin Mahmudov and Elchin Alirzaev were brought to criminal liability as accused under Articles 28,214.2.1 (preparation for terrorism by an organised group), 28,214.2.3 (the same actions committed with the use of firearms), 28,214.2.6 (the same actions committed on the grounds of religious enmity, religious radicalism or religious fanaticism) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.

By court decision, they were arrested.

Investigation and operational activities are ongoing. The message is accompanied by video material.

However, no information is provided as to when exactly all these events took place. Judging by the video footage, it was in autumn.