Foreigner arrested in Azerbaijan for espionage

The investigation of a criminal case by the State Security Service of Azerbaijan revealed suspicions of espionage by a foreign citizen in the country.

According to the State Security Service, on the basis of numerous evidence collected, it was established that the suspect, instructed by the special services of a foreign state, was organizing the collection and transfer of information that is a state secret for use to the detriment of the security interests of Azerbaijan.

Besides, the foreigner was obtaining personal data of law enforcement officers of Azerbaijan, and establishing personal relations with them in order to attract them to secret cooperation with the special services of a foreign country.

He was prosecuted under Article 276 (espionage) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and a measure of restraint in the form of arrest was chosen against him by the court. The criminal investigation is ongoing.