Trial of persons accused of preparing terror acts at "Eurovision" starts in Azerbaijan

On November 15 in Baku, the Court of Grave Crimes began trying four Azerbaijani citizens accused of preparing terror acts during the international song contest "Eurovision-2012".

In May 2012, the Azerbaijani Ministry for National Security (MNS) released information about detention of forty members of a criminal grouping. According to power agents, the detainees had planned sabotage and terror acts at the "Eurovision-2012" in Baku and the murder of the head of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev.

Kamal Yagubov, Rashad Shakhbazov, Rajab Abbasov and Afig Allakhverdiev, who figure as defendants are suspected of treason, organization of a terrorist grouping, smuggling and illegal possession of weapons. According to unofficial data, the defendants have partially pled guilty.

The trial takes place behind closed doors, the "Echo of the Caucasus" reports.

According to investigators, the defendants were brought to work with the Guards Corps of Iran's Islamic Revolution "Sepah" and received instructions from there on terrorist activities, the "Day.Az" reports.

The investigators suspect the grouping of preparing armed attacks, especially in the hotels Hilton Baku and JW Marriot Hotel Absheron, and commission of huge explosions in the Baku Crystal Hall and State Banner Square.