Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 25
By Ilkin Izzet - Trend: An investigation is underway on the attempt to blow up the Meshedi Dadash mosque in the Yasamal district of Baku, as well as the attempted assassination of its akhund (mullah), Shahin Hasanov, the Chairman of State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations of Azerbaijan, Elshad Isgandarov told journalists on Nov. 25.
According to Isgandarov, any thought that considers violence as legitimate, poses a great danger to the model of tolerance and positive trends existing in Azerbaijan.
"Therefore, all precautionary measures should be taken, both at an ideological level and in the area of enlightenment so that such cases do not to occur in Azerbaijan," he said.
Commenting on the opinion to ban the activities of radical religious movements in Azerbaijan, Isgandarov noted there is such a mechanism in the country.
Radical religious movements do not pass the state registration in the country. And the religious communities cannot operate without state registration, the State Committee's chairman added.
Earlier as a result of operational and investigative activities conducted by the National Security Ministry of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani citizens Mirzayev Nariman Khosrov oglu and Rustamov Mirzahmad Shakir oglu were detained as suspects who were preparing to carry out a terrorist attack against the civilian population, as well as the illegal acquisition of large quantities of firearms, ammunitions and explosive substances.
It was revealed that in April 2012, Nariman Mirzayev, Mirzahmad Rustamov and others plotted to carry out an explosion with a terrorist intent to commit murders, violate public safety, sow panic among the population and inflict considerable material damage. To this end, the above mentioned persons acquired a large number of firearms and ammunitions.
They carried out surveillance of the Mashadi Dadash mosque in Yasamal district with a purpose of creating an explosion. Nariman Mirzayev also instructed Mirzahmad Rustamov to prepare a special hideout in the Gusar region where they could seek cover from law enforcement officers after a terrorist attack and if necessary resist them. After the preparation for a terrorist attack Nariman Mirzayev posted notices on Facebook on the 'beginning of Jihad', as well as the calls for the murder of Shahin Hasanov.
Thanks to operational and investigative activities undertaken by the Ministry of National Security, Nariman Mirzayev and Mirzahmad Rustamov were detained.