Azerbaijan, Baku, June 10/ Trend , K.Zarbalieva /
Radical-extremist religious challenges in Azerbaijan appeared under the influence of groups of North Caucasus, Iran and Afghanistan.
"The influence of radical religious groups that operate in the North Caucasus is possible on the radical groups in Azerbaijan. Arrested recently in Azerbaijan, the members of radical groups are former participants in the North Caucasus war," the Deputy Chairman of State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations Elchin Askerov told Trend on June 10.
Last year, 102 religious communities were registered in Azerbaijan. Now the number of functioning religious communities in Azerbaijan is 533.
Of the religious communities registered in 2008, 101 are Islamic, one - non-Islamic, and Jewish religious community Kyubar.
Askerov said that the foreign religious groups have always influenced on the religious groups in Azerbaijan and now also.
Currently a trial of 20 members of radical religious groups that tried to make a series of attacks on some diplomatic mission in Azerbaijan is in process.
The public prosecutor asked the Court to appoint a punishment of 15 years imprisonment to Kamran Asadov, Bahtiar Orujov, Farid Jabbarov, Kamran Babayev, Elshan Mammadov, Vugar Aliyev and Samir Mehraliyev, 18 years imprisonment - Ilkin Ismailov, 13 years - Tarlan Karimov, Ramil Karimov, Yashar Maharramov, Rovshan Abdullayev, 12 years - Shirvani Babayev, Samir Aliyev, Orkhan Alizadeh, Ramin Jalilov, Azeri Ibadov, seven years - Edgar Aliyev and Hajibala Huseynov, two years and six months - Shahriyar Maharramov.
The above-mentioned persons are accused of joining a radical religious group, attempts to start an armed struggle, armed attack on a petrol station of LUKoil and preparation of acts of terror against U.S. and British embassies in Azerbaijan.
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