AZERBAIJAN: Azeri television shows footage released by national security forces showing a video address by reported Islamic militants, calling for a 'jihad' targeting the Eurovision Song contest held last week in Azerbaijan

Record ID: 218248

  • Title: AZERBAIJAN: Azeri television shows footage released by national security forces showing a video address by reported Islamic militants, calling for a 'jihad' targeting the Eurovision Song contest held last week in Azerbaijan
  • Date: 1st June 2012
  • Summary: BAKU, AZERBAIJAN (RECENT - MAY 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CRYSTAL HALL, VENUE OF EUROVISION SONG CONTEST VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING IN SQUARE, SEATED IN CAFE
  • Embargoed: 16th June 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Azerbaijan
  • Country: Azerbaijan
  • Topics: Crime,Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA820TI5N98T0H5ZXZPGTSDR7G0
  • Story Text: Security forces in Azerbaijan released footage late on Wednesday (May 30) which apparently showed a video address by Islamic militants calling for 'jihad' against the Eurovision Song contest which was held last week in the capital Baku.
    A report shown on Azeri television AzTV said the video calling for 'jihad' was reportedly found in the mobile phone of the head of a group, who security forces said was linked to al Qaeda, who was killed last month.
    In the footage an Islamic militant identified as Dagestan's 'emir' Ibragimkhalil Daudov, is filmed sitting with other militants in an unidentified forest setting.
    "I, emir of the Dagestan front, Sali Bukinsky, in order to start the jihad on the territory of Azerbaijan, am sending a group of mujaheeds (fighters) led by emir Busvey. These brothers during last two-three years fought jihad on the territory of Dagestan. We know them very well and trust them. Their activity is co-ordinated with us. Brothers, I call on you all to support them anyway you can, with 'life force', with weapons, money or information. Join this group anyone who stands for jihad in Azerbaijan, consolidate around them," said Daudov, speaking in Russian.
    The alleged leader of the group, identified in the Az TV report as Azeri citizen Vugar Padarov, was killed during an Azeri security forces operation when he resisted arrest in April, the Azerbaijan National Security Ministry said, without giving further details. He had supplied members of the group with weapons and explosive devices, it added.
    Security forces in Azerbaijan said in a statement 40 'jihad' followers were arrested in the latest swoop against Islamist militancy in the oil-rich country.
    According to Azerbaijan security forces, those arrested had planned terror attacks against the Eurovision Song Contest - with primary targets being the song contest venue and biggest hotels housing foreign guests.
    The video shown on Az TV showed the apparent confession of one of the alleged terrorists in charge of the operation.
    Those arrested had been trained in Iran, Syria, Pakistan, and some had fought against NATO troops in Afghanistan, the ministry said.
    Last July, Azerbaijan jailed 17 members of a group it said was linked to al Qaeda, to between five years and life. Last month, security forces arrested several Azeris and Iranians on suspicion of spying for Iran, plotting to attack Western targets and smuggling arms from Iran into Azerbaijan.
    Most of Azerbaijan's 9 million people are Shi'ite Muslim, but the government under President Ilham Aliyev is strictly secular and an ally of both the United States and Russia.
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