Azernews.Az

The National Security Ministry seized several people belonging to a Wahhabi group after uncovering the extremists' plot.
"That prevented a large-scale, horrifying terror attack that was being prepared by members of this group against several state structures in Baku and embassies of the countries which are members of the international anti-terror coalition," the ministry said in a statement.
One member of the group was killed and five more arrested during a special operation by security forces.
It was established that the group possessed four Kalashnikov rifles, one grenade launcher, 20 hand grenades, rounds and other automatic weapon parts.
Wahhabism originated in Saudi Arabia in the 18th century. It is rooted in the idea of restoring Islam's purity by purging it of foreign and corrupting influences.
The statement said than an officer of the Defense Ministry, senior lieutenant Kamran Asadov, had conspired with other members of the radical group and went on unauthorized leave from his military unit after stealing large quantities of weapons. The group members hid part of the ammunition in the Ismayilly district, 190 km northwest of Baku, and then came to the capital. On Saturday, security officers detained part of the group in the Mashtaga settlement, 30 km northeast of the capital, including the renegade military officer. One of the plotters was killed during the operation after showing resistance. A part of the ammunition was impounded on the spot, while the rest was found in Ismayilly.
A criminal case has been started into the case and a hunt for other members of the group is under way.
Britain closed its diplomatic office in Baku on Monday because of security concerns, and the U.S. moved its embassy to limited operations, officials said. Security has been tightened around foreign diplomatic representations in the capital.
The spokesman for the US embassy in Baku, Johnatan Henick, confirmed the report, but did not elaborate on the nature of the threat.
Henick added that the embassy had suspended some of its services, including issuance of visas and open assistance to American citizens.
The State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the plotters had targeted individuals inside and near the US embassy compound.
McCormack said in Washington that the embassy was working with Azerbaijani authorities on "threat information'" it had received.
A function to be attended by the US ambassador on Monday evening has been indefinitely postponed.
The spokesperson for the British embassy, Sevinj Asadova, confirmed that steps were being taken to avert a potential threat. She said the embassy employees were not allowed to come to work and the meetings planned for Monday had been put off.
US and British citizens living in Azerbaijan said they had received warnings via SMS messages to exercise caution while in the city, in particular, in the areas close to embassy compounds. Security has also been stepped up in locations settled by nationals of the two countries, reliable sources said.
Although there was no apparent threat to the operation of oil giant BP and Norwegian Statoil Hydro, their offices in the Landmark building downtown Baku were shut down. BP Azerbaijan advised its employees to make every effort to ensure their safety and even to contact law enforcement agencies.
At 3.30 p.m. on the same day, the Nasimi district police detained two purported Wahhabis outside the U.S. embassy in Baku. The bearded men, detained after the embassy employees contacted the police, were released after providing an explanation.
Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Associations, Hidayat Orujov, said Wahhabis in Azerbaijan were guided and run by "representatives" of certain foreign forces, saying these people posed a threat to the country.
Interior Minister Ramil Usubov said there was currently no Wahhabi threat in Azerbaijan but it could emerge in the future. "If not now, such a threat could be scary for society tomorrow.
"There is freedom of religion here. But if propaganda on its radical form is carried out under the cover of religion, this is quite dangerous for the public. Each citizen should therefore take action on his own to counter such manifestations. If people are unable to do so, they should contact law enforcement agencies," the minister said.
He added that the government, for its part, was doing everything possible to ward off such threats.
Azerbaijani authorities have in the past years arrested dozens of people suspected of links to Islamist militants, but the country has no history of violence against Western targets.