Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

If there is any threat to the constitutional order of Azerbaijan, the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) will take all necessary steps to eliminate this threat.

Siyavush Novruzov, Deputy Executive Secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan party and Chairman of the committee on public associations and religious organizations made the remark while answering the question whether the operations conducted against supporters of the Fethullah Gulen movement in Azerbaijan are discussed in the Parliament.

“If there is a threat to the constitutional order and the democratic values of Azerbaijan, the ruling party with the support of the Azerbaijani people and the President, as well as with the help of law enforcement agencies will take all necessary steps to eliminate this threat,” he said.

Novruzov noted that the UN is preparing lists of terrorist organizations, which are then provided to the Foreign Ministries.

“Such questions are never discussed at parliamentary level. This question relates to the Foreign Ministry authority. Financing of terrorist organizations and ensuring them with any form of assistance in their activity is considered a crime. Azerbaijan as a country suffering from Armenian terrorism, always approaches to such issues sensitively and participates in the fight against terrorism,” he explained.

Azerbaijan has the law "On freedom of religion" and "On the fight against religious extremism," the MP said, adding that if a religious organization will carry out activities that fall outside the scope of these laws, then the rule of law applies. Thus the organization or persons who are involved in such activities, will be responsible before the law.

Gulen is accused of leading a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the “parallel state”.

The July 15 coup attempt occurred when rogue elements in the Turkish military tried to overthrow the country's democratically elected government.

Turkey's government has repeatedly said the deadly plot, which martyred at least 246 people and injured more than 2,000 others, was organized by followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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