Azerbaijan’s State Security Service (SSS) and Ministry of Internal Affairs have successfully thwarted a terrorist plot, dismantling a group tied to radical religious extremists with links to international terrorist organizations.
Their coordinated operational and investigative actions uncovered the activities of a group based in the Gusar district.
The individuals involved — Kamran Kerimkhanov, Umud Gulaliyev, Valerik Adilov, Riyad Safaraliyev, Rovshan Lachinov, Nazim Zakiyev, and others — had conspired with Gadir Hajiyev, a convicted member of the notorious “Forest Brothers” terrorist group, to plan acts of terror within the district.
The individuals involved in the plot set up hidden shelters in the forested areas of Khil, Djibir, and Yasab villages within the Gusar district to carry out their plans. They stored weapons, ammunition, explosives, and technical devices in these locations. A member of the group, Alipasha Kamilov, was located for questioning. However, when special forces arrived at his hideout in Gusar town, Kamilov resisted arrest by throwing two RGO-78 hand grenades. The attack wounded one of the officers. Following the ensuing special operation, Kamilov was neutralized.
During operational-search and investigative measures in the forested area near the village of Jibir, Azerbaijan’s law enforcement discovered a series of underground hideouts used by members of an illegal armed group. This group, consisting of Gadir Hajiyev, Riyad Safaraliyev, Valerik Adilov, and Umud Gulaliyev, had been hiding in the area to evade authorities. When discovered, the group members resisted arrest by deploying explosive devices and engaging in armed combat, ultimately resulting in their deaths during the operation.
Upon inspecting the hideouts, authorities recovered a significant stash of materials, including peat, acetone, detonators, remote-controlled explosive devices, as well as lead and rebar parts used to manufacture explosives. Additionally, law enforcement seized two Kalashnikov assault rifles, three hunting rifles, cartridges, and bullets. A flag symbolizing an internationally recognized terrorist organization was also found, underscoring the group’s ideological affiliation.
As investigators continued their operations, they uncovered additional members of the terrorist group. Nazim Zakiyev, another member of the group, was located on a farm near the village of Khil. Kamran Karimkhanov and Rovshan Lachinov were discovered hiding within the territory of the village itself. These individuals attempted to flee and resisted arrest by law enforcement, leading to their neutralization during the operation.
The investigation further revealed crucial details about the group’s organizational structure, their criminal activities, and their plans. Etibar Ahmadov, a key figure in the group, had illegally obtained dangerous materials such as ammonium nitrate, peat with highly combustible properties, detonators, and fire-wire cord. Using these materials, Ahmadov created explosive devices at a guest house, the “Motel” in Gusar, and even hid explosives on the roof of a nearby car wash. During the manufacturing process, one of these devices detonated, injuring Ahmadov in the explosion.
In addition, investigators found reasonable grounds to suspect that Sharafeddin Mahmudov, Etibar Ahmadov, and others were deeply involved in supplying explosives and other critical materials to the terrorist group, thereby facilitating their operations.
The Azerbaijani authorities have now charged several members of this criminal network, including Etibar Ahmadov, Rahim Mirzabekov, David Rashidov, Sharafeddin Mahmudov, Abugul Babayev, and Elchin Alirzayev. They are facing serious charges under articles 28,214.2.1, 28,214.2.3, 28,214.2.3, 28,214.2. 6 (preparation for terrorism motivated by religious enmity, religious radicalism and religious fanaticism with the use of firearms and objects used as weapons, in the form of a criminal association (criminal organisation) and other articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan). These individuals have been taken into custody, and a preventive measure of detention has been imposed on them by court order.
The investigation into this terrorist network remains ongoing, with both operational and investigative measures continuing as authorities track down any remaining individuals involved in the criminal organization.
