Azernews.Az

Authorities are investigating an attempt to blow up the Meshedi Dadash mosque in the Yasamal district of Baku, as well as the attempted assassination of its akhund (mullah), Shahin Hasanov, the Chairman of State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations of Azerbaijan, Elshad Isgandarov told journalists on November 25.

According to Isgandarov, any thought that considers violence as legitimate, poses a great danger to the model of tolerance and positive trends existing in Azerbaijan.

"Therefore, all precautionary measures should be taken, both at an ideological level and in the area of enlightenment so that such cases do not occur in Azerbaijan," he said.

Commenting on the opinion to ban the activities of radical religious movements in Azerbaijan, Isgandarov noted such a mechanism exists.

Radical religious movements are not allowed to register. And the religious communities cannot operate without state registration, the State Committee's chairman added.

The National Security Ministry of Azerbaijan detained as suspects Azerbaijani citizens Mirzayev Nariman and Rustamov Mirzahmad after investigations concluded they were preparing to carry out a terrorist attack against the civilian population, as well as acquiring large quantities of firearms, ammunitions and explosive substances illegally.

It was revealed that in April 2012, Nariman Mirzayev, Mirzahmad Rustamov and others carried out surveillance of the Mashadi Dadash mosque in Yasamal district with a purpose of creating an explosion. Nariman Mirzayev also instructed Mirzahmad Rustamov to prepare a special hideout in the Gusar region where they could seek cover from law enforcement officers after a terrorist attack and if necessary resist them. After the preparation for a terrorist attack Nariman Mirzoyev posted notices on Facebook on the 'beginning of Jihad', as well as the calls for the murder of Shahin Hasanov.