Measures of investigation have confirmed information received by the Ministry of Internal Affairs about armed criminal groups which were acting under the guise of religion and planning public and political disturbances, diversions, mass unrest and acts of terrorism in the republic. This fact necessitated taking prompt actions.

It was determined that Taleh Kamil oglu Baghirov, Elman Seydamir oglu Aghayev, Zulfugar Sadraddin oglu Mikayilov and Abulfaz Heydat oglu Bunyatov formed a movement named Islamic Unity for the purpose of forcible change of the constitutional form of government and creation of a religious state governed by the shariah law. The abovementioned persons engaged supporters of the movement from Baku and other regions of the republic and formed a criminal group furnishing it with fire arms, ammunition, explosives and explosive devices. In addition, these persons held illegal gatherings in Nardaran settlement of Baku to discuss the ways of turning the population of the republic against the government. For this purpose, they gave instructions to the group members and distributed leaflets with appeals among the population. Specific tasks of each member of the armed criminal group including the persons charged with the commitment of acts of terrorism to be conducted against the public authorities were determined.

Taking into account the abovementioned a special operation was conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to arrest these persons in Nardaran settlement of the city of Baku on November 26, 2015. During the operation the above mentioned persons resisted the arrest having opened fire on police officers and thrown a grenade. In response for continuous fire from the attacking criminals the special task force used duty weapons. In the result of exchange of fire 4 criminal group members were eliminated and several members were wounded.

In spite of the increased number of the armed criminal group supporters in the above mentioned territory, police officers courageously fulfilled their duties. Two police officers fell heroically during the operation.

The large number of submachine guns, grenades, cold weapon, etc. was confiscated from the scene of action as physical evidence. Fourteen members of the criminal group headed by Taleh Baghirov were detained and are under investigation at present. The General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan opened a criminal case for the fact, the investigation is underway.

Appropriate investigative measures and activities are carried out for identification, detention and prosecution of all participants in the crime including the persons supporting the above mentioned armed criminal group.

The law enforcement and national security agencies of the country will continue to take resolute actions for timely prevention of such facts and immediate neutralization of any emerging organized criminal groups or crime networks.