Minister: Significant results achieved in fight against threats to Azerbaijan’s interests

Azerbaijan, Baku, March 28 / Trend K. Zarbaliyeva / Significant results were achieved in the targeted fight with threats against Azerbaijan's political, defense and economic interests, as well as in the fight against terrorism, subversion, sabotage and incendiary aspirations last year, National Security Minister, Lieutenant-General Eldar Mahmudov's article published in Azerbaijan newspaper said on Wednesday. The minister stressed that several effective preventive measures have been conducted against sabotage and other destructive activities of foreign special services directed against Azerbaijan, as well as its armed forces. The criminal cases have been filed under the article "Parricide" against two servicemen involved in subversive and secret-service activity in Azerbaijan on behalf of foreign special services. Mahmudov added that members of two separate groups, on the whole, 24 people involved in the cooperation by Iranian special forces, have been found and detained as a result of efficient anti-subversive activities conducted by the National Security Ministry. These individuals are charged with parricide, espionage against Azerbaijan's sovereignty and state security, as well as in the preparation for terrorist acts, illegal acquisition of a large number of firearms, ammunition and other serious crimes. Two men wanted internationally and participating in the armed groups against coalition forces in Pakistan and Afghanistan have been arrested as a result of comprehensive measures to combat terrorism, the minister added. All world countries, including dynamically developing Azerbaijan having a favorable geo-strategic position are concerned about the transnational organized crime, he said. "A consistent struggle has been conducted in the areas related to drug smuggling, illegal migration, human trafficking, money laundering, cyber-crime, organized crime and other spheres in 2011," the minister added. He stressed that about 30 transnational organized criminal groups and gangs involved in illegal trafficking of narcotic, psychotropic substances and precursors have been revealed during this period. About 630 kilograms of narcotic substances have been seized from illegal turnover. About 353 kilograms have been confiscated as a result of operational measures, held jointly with Russian, Ukrainian and Turkish counterparts. About 40 criminal cases have been filed in accordance with these facts, 137 people-citizens of Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Russia, Iran and Georgia were brought to the investigation. The transnational organized criminal gang involved in equipment smuggling used in the nuclear sphere has been neutralized within the fight against smuggling, Mahmudov stressed. The smuggling of medicaments, a large consignment of precious stones, gold jewelry, spirits, radioactive and hazardous substances has been prevented. About 8 criminal cases have been filed in accordance with these facts. About 16 people have been brought to justice. Human trafficking for sexual exploitation has been prevented. A criminal case has been filed, he added. Public Prosecutor's Office has brought two Azerbaijani citizens to justice on the criminal case filed under the article "Forced removal of human organs and tissue for transplantation" on the basis of the materials of the National Security Ministry. The organized criminal group, consisting of Azerbaijani citizens engaged in theft of gold from Gadabay gold and copper processing plant was revealed and brought to justice in 2011. The organized group, accused of illegally withdrawing large sums of money from various bank accounts by using computer information has been arrested as a result of operational measures. Moreover, about 27 criminal cases on false documents, including the preparation of forged securities, uncontrolled international communication, tax evasion, misappropriation of funds by entering into the confidence of people and other crimes have been filed. It should be stressed that the professional holiday of employees of the National Security Ministry is celebrated on March 28.