Azerbaijan Arrests Suspect for Spying on Behalf of Armenia

The State Security Service of Azerbaijan has announced the arrest of a citizen of the republic on charges of espionage in favor of Armenia, TASS reports.

“As a result of operational-search measures, reasonable suspicions have arisen that a citizen of Azerbaijan, Zakiyev Aydin, born in 1970, has engaged in espionage against Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, state security, and defense capabilities, assisting Armenian special services in committing hostile acts against our country,” the agency's statement reads.

According to the investigation, Zakiyev received assignments from the Armenian special services through intermediaries located in a third country and executed them. Furthermore, he was “instructed to involve other individuals in his activities.”

“In particular, he transmitted information regarding the recruitment of personnel for the Azerbaijani armed forces and assisted Armenian special services in the targeted dissemination of disinformation aimed at inciting ethnic tensions within the republic,” the statement continues.

A criminal case has been initiated against the arrested individual under Article 274 (State Treason) of Azerbaijan's Criminal Code, and he has been detained by court order.