Baku:The Baku Court of Grave Crimes has sentenced eight individuals accused of participating in terrorist activities and financing terrorism, following a trial initiated by the State Security Service (SSS).
According to Azeri-Press news agency, the court, presided over by Judge Namig Karimov, handed down prison sentences ranging from 8 to 13 years for the defendants. Vugar Najafli and Jamal Gozalov received 9 years and 6 months each, while Tofig Yusifli and Dadash Hashimov were sentenced to 8 years and 6 months. Mahammad Huseynli and Tural Aghayev received the longest sentences of 13 years, with Mushfig Hashimov and Mir Javad Huseynli sentenced to 10 years and 12 years and 6 months respectively.
The investigation revealed that members of the group, including Najafli, Gozalov, Yusifli, and Hashimov, left Azerbaijan in 2024 and participated in combat training and armed conflicts in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan. These activities were conducted as part of an international terrorist organization. Operational-search measures by the SSS, in cooperation with foreign intelligence and law enforcement agencies, led to their capture and extradition to Azerbaijan.
Furthermore, it was uncovered that Yusifli and Hashimov’s terrorist activities were financially supported by Azerbaijani citizens Mir Javad Huseynli and Tural Aghayev. The group faced charges under various articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including financing terrorism, participating in a criminal organization, and engaging in armed conflicts outside Azerbaijan.