Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr. E.Huseynli/ The Azerbaijani Government has reinforced enlightenment measures against radical religious groups.
"Complex measures have been taken to prevent radical religious groups in the country from functioning," Gunduz Ismaylov, the head of the Department on Religious Structures of the State Committee on Work with Religious Structures.
Lieutenant Kamran Asadov, an officer of the military division N of the Defense Ministry, acting in a criminal conspiracy with other members of a radical Vahabists group, deserted his military unit and took with him four submachine guns, one machine gun and 20 grenades, along with shells and other military equipment. Law enforcement agencies of Azerbaijan have established that the radical religious group intended to commit terror acts in strategic buildings, including diplomatic facilities.
The officials of the Azerbaijani National Security Ministry reinforced security measures after information was spread of a planned terrorist attack directed against the foreign embassies in Azerbaijan. Operation measures by the Azerbaijani National Security Ministry revealed that Asadov was a member of Vahabists religious group. The criminals hid part of the guns in the Ismayilli region of Azerbaijan. The armed group was detained in 104, Sadova Ave, Mashtaga village Baku, on 27 October. One of the criminals was murdered during the operation.
There are radical religious groups in Azerbaijan, but they are only a minor part of the population. It is important to reinforce Enlightment measures in the country. The complex measures implemented by the State Committee include workshops, which are planning to be held in July and to be continued by the end of 2008. Some 150 training-workshops have been implemented.