Katy Pearce

Programme summary of Azeri ANS TV “Xabarci” news 1600 gmt 7 Jun 12
BBC Monitoring International Reports – Friday, June 8, 2012
Presenter Nigar Mahmudova

1. 0010 Headlines.

2. 0105 Armenian troops have intensively fired on Azerbaijani positions in Qazax, Agdam, Tovuz, Goranboy, Xocavand, Cabrayil and Agstafa districts, TV says. No casualties are reported.

3. 0135 Visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met representatives of civil society and Azerbaijani activist Baxtiyar Haciyev who was released a few days ago after serving some time in jail on charges of dodging military service. Vuqar Bayramli, head of the Economic and Social Development Centre, is shown saying they discussed economic and social issues. Baxtiyar Haciyev is shown saying Clinton spoke about human rights and democracy in Azerbaijan when she met him at the US embassy in Baku. MP Rasim Musabayov is shown saying that he believes that Clinton’s visit to the region will have a positive impact on the resolution of the Karabakh conflict.

4. 0456 US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has visited Turkey to attend an anti-terrorist forum held in Istanbul. Presenter-read report over foreign TV footage.

5. 0530 The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen have expressed serious concern over fatal incidents on the line of contact between the Azerbaijani and Armenian troops. The Turkish Foreign Ministry also issued a statement condemning the cease-fire violation on the line of contact, TV says. Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Elman Abdullayev has condemned the Armenian side for its statement which described the incident as an act of sabotage.

6. 0741 ANS correspondent reports from the line of contact, saying the situation remains tense; video report.

7. 0917 Foreign news: Syria; Egypt.

8. 1111 The Azerbaijani parliament will discuss amendments to the law on Azerbaijani Public TV and Radio. According to the amendments, best foreign TV serials may be broadcast by Public TV; video report.

9. 1337 Four people have been detained in Ukraine on suspicion of killing of the chairman of the Congress of Azerbaijanis in Ukraine, Iqbal Mahmudov; video report.

10. 1415 Exercise was held in Saki District with the aim of organizing the management of civil defence bodies during possible emergencies. Video shows firefighters putting out improvised fire.

11. 1500 Foreign news: Turkey.

12. 1542 Report on negative consequences of abortions.

13. 1930 Madonna will give a concert in Turkey.

14. 2019 Foreign news: Greece.

15. 2100 Presenter signs off. Sport. Weather.
Original Language: Azeri
Section: Azerbaijan , Armenia and Georgia
Index Terms: AZERI ; SUMMARY ; ANS ; AZERBAIJAN ; DOMESTIC POLITICAL
Original Source: ANS TV, Baku
Record Number: 13F477B817B36200
Source: ANS TV, Baku, in Azeri 1600 gmt 7 Jun 12

Azerbaijani TV details Eurovision bomb plot
BBC Monitoring International Reports – Sunday, June 3, 2012
An Azerbaijani Lider TV has broadcast a report about a group of Azerbaijani citizens who plotted to launch attacks against the county’s president and across the capital, Baku, during the Eurovision Song Contest. The report includes interviews with the suspects who confessed that they had plotted to bomb the contest venue, Crystal Hall, and other prominent landmarks. The report links the group to insurgents from Russia’s Dagestan and includes the video produced by a Dagestan rebel commander who declares “jihad” in Azerbaijan . To avoid alarming the public, Azerbaijan security forces did not report the arrests until the contest had concluded. The following is text of report by private pro-government Azerbaijani TV channel Lider on 31 May, subheadings added editorially:

[Presenter] As has been reported, an armed group led by Vuqar Padarov, which was planning acts of sabotage and terror in order to violate the social and political stability in the Azerbaijani Republic, has been apprehended as a result of a recent anti-terror operation by the Ministry of National Security. As has been reported, the armed group had received special training and was supplied with various firearms, munitions, explosive devices and other supplies with the aim to stage a series of random terror acts in several Azerbaijani districts. This was to create chaos and anarchy in the country, confusion and fear among people, ethnic and religious clashes; to attack stability, to undermine the country’s prestige internationally. For these reasons, they had plotted to explode devices at a number of shrines, mosques as well as other religious places of worship and to commit other dangerous acts.

Armed attacks

At the same time, it had been planned to organize armed attacks to kill officers of law enforcement agencies, to seize weapons and ammunition in their administrative buildings. It was planned to prepare places in districts bordering Russia’s Dagestan Republic and in mountainous and forested areas where the armed group would be hiding and living.

To apprehend the transnational criminal group that posed a serious threat to social-political life of the Azerbaijani Republic and to prevent the acts of terror in a timely manner, the National Security Ministry carried out large-scale special operations in Baku, Ganca, Sumqayit cities, Qax, Zaqatala, Saki, Qusar, Abseron, Xacmaz and Sabran districts. On several occasions, armed resistance by the armed group was prevented and Vuqar Padarov was killed. Most members of the armed group were disarmed and arrested.

It should be noted that one of the main goals of this dangerous transnational armed group was to commit acts of terror and sabotage by separate groups on the eve of, and during, the Eurovision Song Contest-2012; to plot explosions and armed attacks for the purpose of mass killing of people. Information about the cruel plans of this transnational criminal armed group was not disseminated during that period, in order to host the prestigious contest in our country and avoid provoking discomfort and panic among the public, as well as foreign guests.

Under surveillance

However, the operation was kept under strict control by the relevant bodies and necessary and intensive security measures were taken. Another 22 members of the group were detained as a result of anti-terror operations that were further carried out to apprehend other members of the armed group and prevent other illegal acts that they had planned.

On 16 May 2012, during the anti-terror operation carried out in Baku’s Nizami district, one of the members of the armed group, an Azerbaijani citizen, Timur Huseynov, disobeyed the legal order by the National Security Ministry’s special forces and used firearms. Timur Huseynov – who used life-threatening force and armed resistance against government servicemen – was killed. Two officers of the National Security Ministry received several injuries during the operation. During the operation, one of the ringleaders, Samir Saniyev was able to escape. Complex search operations were carried out to apprehend him and all relevant agencies were informed.

Samir Saniyev

Biography. Samir Saniyev, alias Abu Ubeyda. Born in Baku in 1975 and an Azerbaijani citizen. In 1994, he graduated from the law department of the Voronezh State University of Russia. In 1996, he graduated from the history and government law department of the Azerbaijani State Pedagogical University. In separate periods, he worked as a lawyer. He has worked in private and government agencies.

In 2006, he joined the Sumqayit camaat [religious unity] organization headed by Azar Misirxanov. He received special training at training centres organized by international terror group Al-Qa’idah. Together with Vuqar Padarov, he had been involved in terror and other criminal acts in the ranks of the group of “amirs of the Dagestani front” – Israpil Velidzhanov, alias Gasan and Ibragimkhalil Daudov, alias Salekh, linked to international terror organization Al-Qa’idah. The international terror organization gave him an authority equal to that of Vuqar Padarov and appointed him “amir” for carrying out acts of terror in Azerbaijan .

Samir Saniyev was detained by police officers in Qazax District while attempting to cross the Azerbaijani border. He resisted, firing his pistol and injured a police officer. However, Samir Saniyev was disarmed. One Stechkin pistol, four cartridges and two magazines were taken from him.

Apart from the known ammunition, new facts were revealed during the investigation of the illegal acts of the members of the armed group. It was revealed that Samir Saniyev was present at the Dagestani amirs’ council in February 2011. This was held near Kadar village in Dagestan – and was about armed jihad in Azerbaijan – where Vuqar Padarov and Elmir Nuraliyev, who have been mentioned before, were also participating.

In the end, the council of amirs assigned certain tasks to Vuqar Padaraov, Samir Saniyev and Elmir Nuraliyev and gave them a lot of money to finance their tasks.

Amir of the Dagestani front Ibragimkhalil Daudov, alias Salekh, appointed Vuqar Padarov, alias Busra amir of the newly formed armed group. The video address related to this was recorded in the latter’s phone memory.

Dagestan amir’s video address

[Caption says the video was taken from Vuqar Padarov’s mobile phone.]

[Speaking in Russian] Dear Azerbaijani brothers. I am amir of Dagestani front Salekh Gubdenskiy. In order to raise the issue of jihad in Azerbaijan ‘s territory and under my assignment, a group of mojahedin – under the leadership of amir Busra [Vuqar Padarov] – are being sent there. Throughout the past two or three years, these brothers were making jihad in the Dagestani land with us. We know them well and fully trust them. Their actions are fully agreed with us. Brothers, I call on you all to help them whichever way you can. Accommodation, weapons, finances and information. Fill the ranks of this group and everybody who is not indifferent to jihad, join them in Azerbaijan . May God help us. May the peace and mercy of God be with you. God is Great.

Rebels arrive from Dagestan

[Presenter] In July 2011, Vuqar Padarov, Samir Saniyev and Elmir Nuraliyev illegally crossed the protected state border along [ Azerbaijan ‘s] Qusar District from Russia’s Republic of Dagestan and arrived in Azerbaijan with a number of weapons and ammunition. Based on the agreement, group member Amir Muradov met Vuqar Padarov, Samir Saniyev and Elmir Nuraliyev in Qusar District and took them to Sumqayit in the car that he was driving. From there [Sumqayit], Samir Saniyev went to Baku; Vuqar Padarov, Elmir Nuraliyev and Amir Muradov went to Zaqatala. At the same time, it was revealed that Vuqar Padarov, Samir Saniyev and Elmir Nuraliyev, were given instructions to act both individually and as a group in order to organize a series of random terror acts by the international terror group, to provoke panic, ethnic and religious clashes, violate stability and undermine the country’s prestige.

Plot to kill the president

Under instructions, Vuqar Padarov and the members of the armed group that he would lead, had to stage a terror act against the head of state during the Azerbaijani president’s planned visit to north-western Azerbaijani region in early April this year [2012]. At the same time, attacks were planned to be staged against law enforcement agencies to kill officers; weapons and ammunition in administrative buildings to be seized, explosions to be carried out in a number of shrines, mosques as well as other religious places of worship.

Suspects interviewed

[Elmir Nuraliyev, captioned as a suspect, speaking in Azeri. Source of footage not attributed.]

He used not to tell the main goal. Later, he said that the head of state would arrive there.

[Investigator] When was the head of the state going to visit there?

[Elmir Nuraliyev] While he was there. He said that the head of state would arrive and that he would find out about his visit, his circle of security and how to break that security. What the weak points are in order to carry an act of terror against him.

[Investigator] What was Vuqar Padarov planning when the Eurovision Song Contest was held in Baku? What was he planning to do to this end?

[Faiq Sultanov, captioned as a suspect, speaking in Azeri. Source of footage not attributed.]

During the Eurovision Song Contest – since music is forbidden in Islam and since people are half-naked there – explosions had to be done during the Eurovision Song [Contest]. At the same time, churches, synagogues and mosques. Synagogues, because Jews – Koran also says that Jews must be killed, blown up – mosques, Shi’i mosques [because] they pray with seal [small tablet of clay from a holy place], they have elevated [Imam Shi’i] Hoseyn to God’s level, sacred places, Etaga [considered a saint in Azerbaijan ], etc were [included] in the plan. Because they pray for him [Etaga] not God, sacrifice animals for him, give money for him, put money on his grave.

[Investigator] How about churches? Why did you plan to blow then up?

[Faiq Sultanov] Christian churches. They don’t follow Jesus’ philosophy. Jesus believed in the oneness of God. But they made a cross and bow to it. These are different from each other.

Plot against Eurovision Song Contest

[Amir Muradov, captioned as a suspect, speaking in Azeri. Source of footage not attributed]

He used to say that if everything would be ready for Eurovision, we would make explosions during Eurovision, too.

[Investigator] In the venue where the Eurovision would be held?

[Amir Muradov] Yes, we used to talk about this from time to time. To receive training. We used to tell that in order to carry out explosions during the Eurovision, we first needed to appoint someone to learn the security rules there, [about] how one can get in there, what can be done.

[Presenter] Elmir Nuraliyev, in liaison with Vuqar Padarov, was supposed to carry out reconnaissance in order to get the necessary information for the purpose of carrying out terror acts in Baku; to define topographic maps of targets and locations of government agencies, their work schedule, number of service personnel, sniper positions and other factors.

For his part, Samir Saniyev, together with the armed group that he led, planned large-scale explosions in places where foreigners would gather or be staying, including the Hilton Baku, Marriot Hotel Abseron and other hotels. As well as in the Baku Crystal Hall where the Eurovision Song Contest-2012 was held – by obtaining tickets by any means – and at the State Flag Square.

After these horrific terror acts were carried out, and chaos was triggered in the republic, members of the armed group were planning to hide in shelters and dugouts prepared earlier in forested areas in northern Azerbaijani districts, and then act with other terror groups arriving from Dagestan.

[Samir Saniyev, captioned as a suspect, speaking in Azeri. Source of footage not attributed]

After I came to Baku, I got acquainted with other brothers with Maharram’s help. Maharram got us acquainted. My Muslim brother Hasan, Salimxanov Hasan, Vuqar Qurbanov and a brother named Saxavat. I got acquainted with them. Told them a little bit of myself and told them the reason why I came and [about] the work that I was doing – the information about the work that I had been doing till that time and the information that they needed. We used to meet on a regular basis. I taught those guys reconnaissance skills. Also, I gave them thorough information about military, on how to make explosive devices, so that they have scientific knowledge about this. When I crossed from Dagestan to Azerbaijan , I had one shortened Kalashnikov assault rifle of 7.62 calibre in my bag. Apart from this, two Stechkin machine pistols, a Makarov pistol and three detonators. I showed them to the brothers and taught them how to use weapons. For preparing for jihad, [words indistinct] teach them reconnaissance.

[Presenter] Samir Saniyev and individuals who obeyed him, acquired a large amount of explosive substances for the purpose of preparing explosive devices. Timur Huseynov, and others, undertook observations and reconnaissance around the targets against which acts of terror would be carried out. Apart from this, it was revealed that for the purpose of carrying out acts of terror, Samir Saniyev purchased a Nissan Pathfinder car using the financial resources that he brought with him.

According to this plan, the explosive substances that had been supplied earlier had to be placed inside the car. Explosives were to be placed in the other vehicles owned by members of the group and parked in the main square of the capital, the parking lots of the Hilton Baku, Marriot Hotel Abseron and other hotels, which are symbols of Azerbaijan ‘s dynamic development.

[Samir Saniyev] It had also been planned that two explosive devices – one of them to be set up near Hilton, the old Intourist Azerbaijan hotel, the other one in the vicinity of Marriot, the old Abseron Hotel. In regard with this assignment, I tasked Said to reconnaissance the vicinity of those hotels – how to reach there in a car, where to park, where the cars are parked, whether there are foreign cars or not. To reconnaissance both hotels.

[Presenter] Teymur Huseynov was to get a ticket to the final show of the international song contest, enter Baku’s Crystal Hall, activate the explosive they had prepared – which is known as a shock bomb by specialists – and as a result, to provoke chaos among the audience with a bomb calculated to cause mass destruction and damage.

[Samir Saniyev] As the time was nearing, our intention was to pass it [the bomb] through to the hall on 26 May, the final day of the Eurovision Song Contest held in Baku and carry out the operation. I told him that he had to find – via the Internet or through acquaintances – a ticket to the concert.

[Presenter] At the same time, to carry out explosions capable of large-scale destruction and damage, with remote-controlled explosive devices placed inside the cars parked outside the hotels. Also, in the same way, another car where explosive devices were placed was planned to be blown up near the Flag Square of Bayil settlement, in the yard of one of the buildings.

[Investigator] What things was the group that you are member of planning to do on the eve of the Eurovision Song Contest?

[Saxavat Xaliqov, captioned as a suspect, speaking in Azeri. Source of footage not attributed]

To stop this, it was planned to do explosion.

[Investigator] Who did assign this task?

[Saxavat Xaliqov] Samir did.

Anti-terror operation

[Presenter] However, due to the preventive anti-terror operations as well as the professionalism of the law enforcers and their bravery at the expense of their own life, explosions and other terror acts that could lead to the mass killing of people, were timely and decisively prevented. Azerbaijan ‘s image as a stable and safe country was preserved. So far, 40 members of the armed group have been detained.

Thirteen automatic firearms, one RPC hand machine gun, 12 different types of pistols, three carbines, 3,424 cartridges of various calibre, 66 magazines for automatic firearms and pistols, 23 RGD-5, 26 F1, 3 RG-42 hand grenades, a large number of grenade fuse, explosive devices made in a special method, over 2,352 explosive substance plastid, two 10-litre plates with around 20 kg explosive substances in each, a 675 g TNT charge, electric fuse for 19 electric devices, 19 detonators and capsules, 48 Kenwood communication devices and other illegal ammunition and items to be used for acts of terror and sabotage, various cold steel, as well as literature propagating jihad and terror, were found and seized.

Apart from this, explosive substances made using special knowledge peculiar to international terrorists were found placed inside a toy car; topographic maps, 438 g of plastic explosive, 200 g and 75 g of TNT chargers, a capsule, one explosive device capable of large-scale destruction and damage, filled with pieces of iron and remote-controlled and capable of destroying a living being at a radius of 100 meters, have been found and confiscated.

It should be noted that among the explosive devices confiscated from one group member, was an explosive device in the form of a wrapped paper soaked with explosive devices that are impossible to identify using normal detectors. They do not have a suspicious look, and are capable of causing death and injury to a large number of people in a crowded place. And this shows clearly the intentions and goals of the international terror network.

The National Security Ministry has launched an investigation under the relevant articles of the criminal code. Investigation and search operations are continuing to identify other persons involved in these illegal acts.
Original Language: Azeri
Section: Azerbaijan , Armenia and Georgia
Index Terms: AZERI ; PLOT ; EUROVISION ; AZERBAIJAN RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL ORGS ; TERRORISM ; INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ; DOMESTIC POLITICAL ; HUMAN RIGHTS
Original Source: Lider TV, Baku
Record Number: 13F2D1D5304F1C78
Source: Lider TV, Baku, in Azeri 1445 gmt 3 Jun 12/

Programme summary of Armenian Public TV “Haylur” news 1700 gmt 4 Jun 12
BBC Monitoring International Reports – Thursday, June 7, 2012
Presenter Kristine Melkonyan

1.0024 Headlines.

2. 0202 US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Armenia on a working visit on 4 June. Armenian Foreign Minister Edvard Nalbandyan met her at Zvartnots airport.

3. 0252 Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met Hillary Clinton in Yerevan to discuss Armenian-US ties. (See a separate report)

4. 0617 Hillary Clinton held a joint news conference with the Armenian foreign minister. A detailed report will follow later in the news bulletin.

5. 0637 The Armenian president will leave for Japan on a working visit on 5-7 June. On 8 June, Sargsyan will visit Vietnam.

6. 0731 Under Armenian president’s decree, Edvard Nalbandyan, Armen Yeritsyan and Seyran Ohanyan have been re-appointed as foreign, emergencies and defence ministers respectively.

7. 0753 Armenian Defence Ministry issued a statement saying that Azerbaijan had “flagrantly” violated the cease-fire on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, trying to advance towards Tavush Region’s villages, as a result of which three Armenian servicemen were killed and six wounded. Due to retaliatory actions by the Armenian side, the Azerbaijani advancement was thwarted and Azerbaijani troops had to retreat, sustaining losses, the report says.

8. 0907 Armenia’s Military Prosecutor Gevorg Kostanyan reports by phone from Chinari village, saying that the incident on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border was a result of actions undertaken by Azerbaijani troops.

9. 1019 A delegation headed by Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan is on a visit in Belgium. Representatives of the Armenian Economy Ministry and Belgian IBA Molecular company signed a cooperation agreement, according to which medical equipment worth 2.5m euros would be provided to Armenia’s oncological centres. Tigran Sargsyan also visited the Centre for European Policy Studies, where he delivered a speech on Armenia’s European integration. Later, the Armenian delegation attended political assembly of the European People’s Party.

10. 1429 Sociologist Aharon Adibekyan spoke at a news conference about a sociological survey conducted in Azerbaijan ‘s breakaway Nagornny Karabakh ahead of the presidential election in the region. According to the survey, more than half of the population assesses the situation in the region as “good” and about 70 per cent of the interviewed expect socio-economic issues to be resolved by future president. Adibekyan said that “positive migration” was being observed in the region, with 500-550 people returning to Karabakh every year.

11. 1600 Ramkavar Azatakan and Armenakan Ramkavar Azatakan parties announced their union under the name of Ramkavar Azatakan Armenia party.

12. 1713 Member of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia Mkrtich Minasyan spoke about the work of the newly-elected parliament at a news conference.

13. 1901 Armenian Police Deputy Chief Artur Osikyan was awarded for his contribution to police reform, especially regarding improvements to the police educational system, at the Universal Rights Awards Ceremony at the US embassy in Yerevan with the participation of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Video shows Osikyan speaking.

14. 2034 Report on fines introduced for violations of traffic rules in Armenia.

15. 2330 Armenian Public TV presenter will interview Armenian Police Road Patrol Department chief Norik Sargsyan at 1930 gmt today.

16. 2341 Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan spoke about beautification works in centre of Yerevan.

17. 2519 Foreign news: Nigeria, Syria, Iraq, Egypt.

18. 2801 Report on an Armenian monument in Boston’s Armenian Park made by Romanian Armenian Aurelyan Martiros.

19. 3227 Report on an exhibition of French Armenian artist Jean Kazanchyan in Los Angeles.

20. 3625 Report on a joint news conference of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Armenian Foreign Minister Edvard Nalbandyan. (see a separate report)

21. 4009 Sport.

22. 4300 Presenter signs off.
Original Language: Armenian
Section: Azerbaijan , Armenia and Georgia
Index Terms: ARMENIA ; PROGSUM ; DOMESTIC POLITICAL
Original Source: Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
Record Number: 13F42356C387DAB8
Source: Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan, in Armenian 1700 gmt 4 Jun 12

Programme summary of Nagornyy Karabakh Public TV “Or” news 1400 gmt 6 Jun 12
BBC Monitoring International Reports – Thursday, June 7, 2012
Presenter Gagik Khachatryan

1. 0045 Azerbaijan has violated ceasefire and unsuccessfully tried to occupy some positions held by Karabakh. One Karabakh soldier was killed, two others were wounded.

2. 0213 Karabakh president Bako Sahakyan has met personal representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk. The current stage of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict settlement and its prospects and the situation along the contact line between the Karabakh and Azerbaijani forces were discussed at the meeting. President Sahakyan described the latest violations of ceasefire by Azerbaijan as a provocation aimed at destabilizing the situation in the region and undermining efforts of the mediator countries. Video shows the meeting.

3. 0254 Member of the Karabakh national assembly and the head of the standing commission on foreign affairs, Vahram Atanesyan, is interviewed in the studio to discuss violations of ceasefire by Azerbaijan . Atanesyan called Azerbaijan ‘s behaviour provocative and dangerous. Video shows him speaking.

4. 1136 Armenian political analysts have analyzed recent gross violations of ceasefire by Azerbaijan . Video shows analysts speaking.

5. 1343 Turkey is worried about the deterioration of the situation in the Karabakh conflict zone.

6. 1402 Report on US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to the region.

7. 1601 OSCE chairman-in-office is to visit the South Caucasus.

8. 1632 French parliamentarians have visited Stepanakert (Xankandi) airport and familiarized themselves with its potential. Video shows the event.

9. 2053 The Karabakh national assembly continues the discussion of the fulfilment of the 2011 budget. Video shows the discussions.

10. 2550 The head of the department of national and religious minorities has met journalists and talked about the situation in the field. Video shows the event.

11. 3000 Report on the construction of a road in the village of Chartar in Martuni region (Cartar in Xocavand District). Video shows the event.

12. 3409 Sport.

2511 Presenter signs off.
Original Language: Armenian
Section: Azerbaijan , Armenia and Georgia
Index Terms: KARABAKH ; SUMMARY ; AZERBAIJAN ; DOMESTIC POLITICAL
Original Source: Nagornyy Karabakh Public TV, Stepanakert
Record Number: 13F4235841A514E0
Source: Nagornyy Karabakh Public TV, Stepanakert, in Armenian 1400gmt 06 Jun 12