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Azerbaijan Conducts Counterterrorism Operation

By Ilham Karimli February 4, 2025

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A member of Azerbaijan State Security Service special forces / Courtesy

The State Security Service and the Interior Ministry of Azerbaijan conducted a large-scale counter-terrorism operation to identify and prevent the illegal activities of radical extremist groups linked to international terrorist organizations.

The investigation revealed that Qadir Hajiyev, a former member of the terrorist group "Forest Brothers" had re-established a criminal group to plan terrorist attacks in the country’s northern Gusar district, the State Security Service said in a statement.

As part of its plans, the group created underground hideouts in the forests for stocking weapons, explosives, technical devices, and other necessary supplies.

During the initial phase of the operation, one group member resisted arrest and deployed two "RGO-78" hand grenades, injuring a law enforcement officer. The group member was neutralized during the operation.

Four other terrorists detonated explosive devices while attempting to escape the arrest, resulting in their deaths.

A search of the discovered hideouts uncovered materials used to manufacture explosive devices, including peat, acetone, detonators, remotely controlled explosive mechanisms, shrapnel made from iron rods and lead fragments, two Kalashnikov assault rifles, three hunting rifles, ammunition, and a flag symbolizing an internationally recognized terrorist organization.

Authorities uncovered further details regarding the terrorist network, including its structure, resources, and planned attacks. Investigations revealed that the group had procured illegal ammonium nitrate, highly flammable peat, detonators, and fuses to manufacture homemade explosive devices, which were hidden in a guesthouse in Gusar and on the roof of a nearby car wash.

Six of the group members have been charged under multiple articles of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code, including preparing terrorist acts based on religious enmity, radicalism, and fanaticism, using firearms and explosive devices as part of a criminal organization, and others.

The court has ordered their pre-trial detention. The investigation and operational measures are ongoing, according to the State Security Service.

The largest inland counterterrorism measure in Azerbaijan was conducted in September 2023 in the Karabakh region against the illegal armed formations of the Armenian military and the separatist entity. The one-day campaign from September 19 to 20 saw the complete disarmament of the military groups and self-dissolution of the Armenia-backed separatist junta.

Azerbaijan has consistently worked to align its national legislation with international legal frameworks in various aspects of counterterrorism. Baku has ratified all 12 international conventions related to combating terrorism.

The Law on the Fight against Terrorism from 1999 provides the legal foundation for relevant state institutions to implement effective counter-terrorism measures. Azerbaijan's legal framework also includes the Law on The Prevention of the Legalization of Criminally Obtained Funds or Other Property and the Financing of Terrorism, which came into effect on January 31, 2023.

Azerbaijan is a member of MONEYVAL, a permanent monitoring body of the Council of Europe for assessing compliance with the principal international standards to counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

The country’s Financial Monitoring Service plays a key role in countering money laundering and terrorist financing. Its operations have been restructured to address the fundamental standards of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) under the OECD framework. The Financial Monitoring Service is a member of the Egmont Group, which facilitates and prompts the exchange of information, knowledge, and cooperation amongst member Financial Intelligence Units across the world.

Azerbaijan’s counter-terrorism efforts go beyond law enforcement and include preventive strategies aimed at curbing extremist and radical ideologies that could lead to terrorism. Additionally, national measures encompass social initiatives designed to rehabilitate individuals at risk, support their families, and facilitate their reintegration into society.

Legislative reforms have been complemented by institutional advancements, strengthening versatile coordination in counter-terrorism efforts.

The key national bodies responsible for combating terrorism include the State Security Service, Foreign Intelligence Service, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and State Border Service. Alongside these law enforcement agencies, the State Committee on Work with Religious Entities, the State Committee on Family, Women, and Child Affairs, and other relevant institutions contribute to preventive and social initiatives as part of a holistic government approach.

The State Department’s 2020 Country Reports on Terrorism identified Azerbaijan as a strong international counterterrorism partner based on the country’s active work to detect and defeat terrorist efforts to move people, money, and materials across its land and maritime borders.

Azerbaijani law enforcement has arrested and prosecuted suspected terrorists over the years and prosecuted returning Azerbaijanis that had been incorporated into terrorist operations outside of Azerbaijan.

According to the report, Azerbaijan maintained membership in the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and other international bodies, as well as supports NATO CT initiatives as one of the Alliance’s Partnership for Peace countries.