In Azerbaijan, 22 persons, accused of collaboration with Iranian secret service "Sepah", sentenced to 3-13 years of imprisonment

Today, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes, chaired by Judge Alovsat Abbasov, closed the trial on the case against 22 citizens of Azerbaijan, accused of high treason and other crimes. Half of the defendants are residents of the village of Nardaran, located 25 km north of Baku and well-known by strong religious traditions.

Let us remind you that the trial on the case was started on August 28. The defendants were charged of collaboration with the Iranian secret service "Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps"' (known as "Sepah"), actions against the interests of Azerbaijan, committed by orders of the "Sepah", and preparation of terror acts against foreign organizations and citizens.

The court found the defendants guilty under Article 274 (high treason), Article 228 (illegal possession of arms), and Article 234 (illegal possession of drugs) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan and sentenced them to 3-13 years of imprisonment.

In particular, the Court sentenced Niyazi Kerimov, Gamidaga Alekperov, and Elman Tagiev to 13 years of imprisonment. Talekh Rasulov, Rakhim Gasymov, Mamedtagi Zakiev, Nusrat Djalilov, Djeikhun Gabibov, Shakhin Mamedov, Mubariz Aliev, Bakhram Gasymov, Araz Abbasov, Afgan Abbasov, Miralesker Agaev, Rovshan Zulfugarov, Seimur Gasymov, Elchin Kerimov, and Zakhid Mamedov were sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment.

Gyulgusein Nuriev was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment, and Abulfat Zakiev, Ali Bashirov, and Asef Faradjev were sentenced to 3 years of imprisonment.

The trial was held behind closed doors, and relatives of the defendants were allowed to enter the courtroom only to listen to sentencing. This was reported by Meshadi Natiq Kerimov, one of the elders of the village of Nardaran, a cousin of the convicted Niyazi Kerimov.

"The trial was held behind closed doors, and we have no detailed information on how the judicial investigation was conducted. Earlier, I learned from Anar Gasymov, the lawyer of Niyazi Kerimov, that all defendants pleaded not guilty under Article 274 (high treason). Several defendants pleaded guilty in part under other articles," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Meshadi Natiq Kerimov.

He has noted that his cousin will file an appeal.

Officials from the Baku Court of Grave Crimes only confirmed the verdict against 22 indicated persons and their sentences; however, they refused to comment on the charges and the course of the trial.

The investigators revealed that the grouping was planning to commit terror acts against the Israeli organization "Jewish Agency for Israel" (JAFI), the BP Company, the American Fast Food Restaurant, and foreign diplomatic missions in Baku. For that purpose, the members of the grouping received weapons and special equipment. The investigators seized from the arrested persons several submachine guns, pistols of various models, a sniper rifle, a grenade launcher, ammunition, grenades, TNT blocks, and detonators.

The Iranian Embassy in Azerbaijan refused to comment on the court verdict and the charges against the convicted persons of collaboration with the Iranian secret services.