Comprehensive investigative and operational measures are ongoing in criminal cases initiated by the State Security Service (SSS) of Azerbaijan concerning the establishment of criminal groups consisting of Azerbaijani citizens with links to international terrorist organizations. These individuals are accused of plotting terrorist acts, constructing underground hideouts in forested areas of the country’s northern region, and equipping these locations with weapons, ammunition, explosives, technical equipment, and other essential supplies.
The investigation established that Azerbaijani citizens Vugar Najafli, Jamal Gezalov, Tofiq Yusifli, and Dadash Gashimov—members of a group formed to carry out terrorist activities—left Azerbaijan in 2024 and took refuge in mountainous areas along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. It was determined that they participated in combat training and armed conflicts, receiving military instruction abroad for criminal purposes as part of an international terrorist organization.
As a result of joint intelligence and law enforcement efforts by the SSS and foreign partner agencies, the suspects were detained abroad and extradited to Azerbaijan.
Investigations also revealed that the terrorist activities of Tofiq Yusifli and Dadash Gashimov were financed by Azerbaijani citizens Mir Javad Huseynli and Tural Agayev, who are also implicated in additional criminal acts.
The members of the criminal group—Vugar Najafli, Jamal Gezalov, Tofiq Yusifli, Dadash Gashimov, Mir Javad Huseynli, and Tural Agayev—have been charged under the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, including Article 214-1 (financing of terrorism), Article 283-1.3 (promotion of religious movements and participation in stable groups formed abroad under the guise of religious rites motivated by religious hatred), and other relevant provisions. The court has placed all suspects under pre-trial detention.
Investigative and operational procedures in the case are ongoing.
