Another trial in the case of Azerbaijanis fighting in Syria

Today Baku Court of Grave Crimes on Trial  in the case of Anar Mahmudov and Elvin Askerov accused of involvement in the fighting  with LIH. They were detained  during the  antiterrorist operation in October 2015 by members of the former Ministry of National Security.

According to the indictment, in 2013, they were part of an armed group "Jumdul Khalifa", part of the structure of territorist “Jebhet Al Nusra.”

Mahmudov and Askerov were involved in the death of people, causing significant property damage, and others  offenses. They were charged under the Articles 12.1 (commission of an offense outside of Azerbaijan); 279.1 (creation of illegal militia); 12.3 (crime against humanity), 214.2.1 (on preliminary arrangement by terrorism), 214.2.3 (terrorism with the use of firearms), 218.2 (creation of a criminal association), and 283-1.3 (incitement to hatred).

At the trial Mahmudov and Askerov made  free testimony, saying that they partially admitted his guilt. The defendants claim that  they went to Syria to  provide "assistance" to Muslims. They profess Salafi Sunnism.  Mahmudov and Askerov were in Syria since 2013, got there via Georgia and Turkey. On their arrival to Istanbul, through the border crossing point Reyhanlı  they went to Syria with the assistance of some of Khalid. Mahmudov was in post for five months, and fought under the commnad of  Abu Hafs, whose real name  is Intigam Aliyev, and he is a citizen of Azerbaijan. Wounded in the left leg Mahmudov  in July 2013 returned by the same route in Azerbaijan.

" We crossed  the Turkish border close to the soldiers. People en masse crossed the border, and I crossed it. The soldiers did not stop anyone," said Mahmudov. On his return, he married, and has one child.

Asgarov, a resident of the city of Shamakhi arrived in the city of Artma. However, he did not join the military organization. "I stayed there for a week and returned. I did not become a member of any organization, and did not participate in the battles. I went to help the Muslims, but there I saw that the Muslims are fighting against each other, andI returmed," said Askerov. He is married, has two children and parents in Azerbaijan.

Being askedwith whom he left his family he said: "I  left my parents, children in the hope of Allah's power. We do rely only on Allah. We all in this world trust in Allah. " From the testimony of the accused, it became clear that there are many  Azerbaijanis in the city of Artma.

"In the two-storey house where we lived there  were 20-25 Azerbaijanis. There are many of our people participating in the war, who live with their families, seeking respect for religion," said Askerov. The trial will continue on July 25.

• According to various  sources, in Syria and Iraq are fighting hundreds of people from Azerbaijan. Among them there are those who are fighting on the side of the radicals and are fighting with supporters of  the President Assad. For their participation in this war already were convicted several dozens of citizens of Azerbaijan. According to various data, in Syria and Iraq were killed more than a hundred  of Azerbaijanis. -03C-