Added details (fist version was published in 15.17)
Azerbaijan, Baku, March 14 /Trend K.Zarbaliyeva/
As a result of a special operation conducted by the Azerbaijani Ministry of National Security, a group of 22 individuals was revealed and detained. It is accused of espionage activity against Azerbaijan on the instructions of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the public relations department at the Ministry told Trend today.
Thus, the citizens of Azerbaijan - Kerimov Niazi, Aliyev Mubariz, Tagiyev Elman, Jalilov Nusrat, Gasimov Rahim, Zekiev Mammadtagi, Gashimov Bahram, Abbasov Ayaz, Abbasov Afgan, Mamedov Shahin, Agayev Miralesker, Zulfugarov Rovshan, Alekperov Gamidaga, Gasimov Seymour, Rasulov Taleh, Gabibov Jeyhun, Kerimov Elchin, Mammadov Zahid and others were brought by IRGC to a secret cooperation. While carrying out espionage activity on the instructions of the organization, they collected and delivered information to use it against Azerbaijan's national security. They were also engaged in searching and introducing the individuals to IRGC who could assist the representatives of the Iranian special services.
It was found that Niazi Kerimov went to the Iranian city of Mashhad in the spring of 1999 and met with Akbar Pakravesh in Tehran. Niazi Kerimov and Akbar Pakravesh expanded relationship, covering by the religious unity, but in reality, being member of the IRGC. Then, at the suggestion of Akbar Pakravesh, Niazi Kerimov was voluntarily brought to the secret cooperation on the basis of orders of Iranian intelligence services began espionage activities against national security of Azerbaijan.
IRGC member Akbar Pakravesh promised Niazi Kerimov a large sum of money to carry out sabotage and terrorist acts against employees of embassies, representative offices and organizations of the United States, Israel and Western countries, operating in Baku. Niazi Kerimov was proposed to search and introduce the individuals to IRGC who could assist the representatives of the Iranian special services.
Niazi Kerimov has repeatedly traveled to Iran from 1999 to 2011 and met with IRGC member Akber Pakravesh and an employee named Vahid receiving appropriate instructions and large sums of money from them. In accordance with these instructions and orders, he introduced citizens of Azerbaijan - Aliyev Mubariz, Tagiyev Elman, Jalilov Nusrat, Gasimov Rahim, Zekiev Mammadtagi, Gashimov Bahram, Abbasov Ayaz, Abbasov Afgan, Mamedov Shahin, Agayev Miralesker, Zulfugarov Rovshan, Alekperov Gamidaga, Gasimov Seymour, Rasulov Taleh, Gabibov Jeyhun, Kerimov Elchin, Mammadov Zahid and others to Akbar Pakravesh and Vahid
IRGC members, Akbar Pakravesh and Vahid met separately with the named citizens of Azerbaijan, discussed their involvement in subversive and terrorist acts that were intended to implement in the future against the embassies, representative offices and organizations of the United States, Israel and Western countries operating on the territory of Azerbaijan.
These citizens of Azerbaijan have been trained to shoot from different types of firearms, including automatic weapons, pistols under the guidance of professional instructors, passed a special theoretical and practical training at military camps, located near the cities of Tehran and Karaj on the use of explosive substances, topographical maps, as well as conducting secret surveillance on foot and by car, evading surveillance and penetration into the private protected area.
Moreover, they met and gave instructions to some Azerbaijani citizens on the territory of third countries, including Damascus and Moscow for the Azerbaijani special services not to suspect of the individuals' constant visits to Iran, who cooperated with the IRGC employees.
It was revealed that the Iranian special services secretly provided the above-mentioned Azerbaijani citizens with a monthly salary.
Azerbaijani citizens were provided with technical equipment and vehicles. They received orders, determined the exact address, location of embassies, representative offices, organizations that operate in the economic sphere of foreign companies in Baku, including the organization of "Soxnut" and several educational institutions, the restaurant "American Fast-food", the main office of the oil company "BP-Azerbaijan" and other facilities. The conducted observations, collected information about persons working there, and passed information to IRGC employees Akbar Pakravesh and Vahid.
The Central Investigation Department of the National Security Ministry investigates a criminal case under articles 274 (treason) and 228.2.1 (illegal acquisition, storage, transportation and carrying of firearms and ammunition).
The necessary investigative actions and search operations are underway to investigate all the circumstances of the criminal case.
One point should be emphasized. Pseudo experts and some media outlets have been recently trying to mislead the public upon the instructions obtained from the internal destructive forces and external enemies, spreading false information.
Regardless of race, gender, religion and belief, each person is responsible before the law. The principle of inevitability of punishment for a crime applies to everyone. The actions against the society, criminal attempts and threats to Azerbaijan's national security will be prevented.
The ministry reported that if a person attracted by the foreign special services to commit a crime relating to treason and espionage damaging Azerbaijan's national security, defense, territorial integrity and sovereignty, has not made any criminal acts to commit this crime, voluntarily and timely provided the public authorities with the information and if there are no other crimes, the person will be exempt from criminal liability.