Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 3
By Ilhame Isabalayeva - Trend:
The incident that occurred in Baku's township of Nardaran isn't related to religion, it is a terror act, Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazadeh, chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office, told reporters in Baku Dec. 3.
"The incident in Nardaran has roots stretching from afar, from abroad," he said. "However, speaking about foreign countries doesn't have to imply the neighboring countries."
"Neither Iran nor Turkey supports any clash in Azerbaijan," he stressed.
Pashazadeh noted that Armenia is the biggest enemy of Azerbaijan. He believes that Armenia too may be involved in the organization of the incident in Nardaran.
Pashazadeh added that a group of people took the advantage of the Nardaran residents' excessive attachment to religion.
"They don't hail from Nardaran," said Pashazadeh, noting that the speeches by Taleh Baghirov, a ringleader of criminal group eliminated by the police, were calling for a coup.
He also said it was right to use force to settle the incident in Nardaran.
Earlier, on Nov. 26, five members of a criminal group, operating under the guise of religion, were killed during a police operation in the township of Nardaran, some 25 km northeast of Baku. Two police officers were also killed in the standoff.
Fourteen members of the criminal group were arrested along with the group's ringleader Taleh Baghirov. All 14 detainees were arrested for four months as a preventive measure against them.
Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's Office has initiated criminal cases.