Azerbaijan Reportedly Arrests Iran-Linked Plotters

February 21, 2012

Azerbaijan says it has busted an alleged terrorist group working for Iran's secret services.

The National Security Ministry said in a statement broadcast by state television on February 22 that it had arrested an unspecified number of people suspected of preparing terrorist attacks against foreign citizens in the country.

The ministry says the suspects were gathering intelligence and had acquired weapons and explosives.

The reported arrests come after a car bomb last week injured the wife of an Israeli diplomat in New Delhi while Georgian officials defused a device apparently targeting Israelis in Tbilisi.

It also comes amid rising tensions between Baku and Tehran.

In January, Azerbaijan announced the arrest of two local residents accused of plotting to kill two teachers at a Jewish school on Iranian orders.

In turn, Iran accused Azerbaijan of turning a blind eye to Israeli intelligence operations on its soil.

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/azerbaijan_arrests_iran_linked_plotters/24491869.html

Copyright (c) 2012. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.