University shooter`s link to Armenian under scrutiny
Law enforcement officers are investigating a
possible link between an Armenian and the ethnic Azerbaijani
citizen from neighboring Georgia who brutally killed 12 people and
wounded scores of others in the shooting rampage at a university in
Baku on April 30.
The Azerbaijan Prosecutor-General`s Office and the Interior Ministry said in a joint statement that investigators had ascertained, with close support of the Georgian law enforcement agencies, that the gunman, Farda Gadirov, was maintaining contacts with Sergei Grigorian, 48, an ethnic Armenian who called himself a Georgian. Upon return to his native Dashtepe village in Georgia`s Marneuli region from Russia in the fall of 2008, Gadirov contacted the man via phone in October-November and met with him from time to time. The two had jointly purchased a pistol for 500 Lari (Georgian currency) and 100 bullets for 200 Lari at a rifle store.
Investigators are scrutinizing Grigorian`s complicity in the crime and whether or not the weapon had been acquired legally. In cooperation with the State Border Service, investigators are also working to establish how the gun was brought into Azerbaijan.
The shooting occurred at the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy shortly after the bell rang for morning classes. The gunman was said to have gone from floor to floor on the academy campus, firing upon innocent passersby using a Makarov pistol. Having seen that he would be apprehended by special police forces, which were immediately summoned, the gunman committed suicide. Motives of the crime are still unknown.
Two ethnic Azerbaijani citizens from Georgia were earlier detained as suspects in the armed assault.
Further, the Prosecutor-General`s Office and the Interior Ministry noted that, though the public has been informed about the established material evidence, proof and facts related to the crime, which is being investigated under the personal supervision of the Azerbaijani president, still numerous representatives of local opposition parties, the media outlets they own and their patrons abroad are unfortunately using this tragedy for their own political aims.
The joint statement said that in order to cause tension in the country`s socio-political life among students in a number of higher educational institutions and schoolchildren, rumors that are far from reality are being circulated regarding this crime.
"All attempts to disrupt public safety will be thwarted and adequate measures taken against the organizers and those involved in such instances," the statement added.
The Azerbaijan Prosecutor-General`s Office and the Interior Ministry said in a joint statement that investigators had ascertained, with close support of the Georgian law enforcement agencies, that the gunman, Farda Gadirov, was maintaining contacts with Sergei Grigorian, 48, an ethnic Armenian who called himself a Georgian. Upon return to his native Dashtepe village in Georgia`s Marneuli region from Russia in the fall of 2008, Gadirov contacted the man via phone in October-November and met with him from time to time. The two had jointly purchased a pistol for 500 Lari (Georgian currency) and 100 bullets for 200 Lari at a rifle store.
Investigators are scrutinizing Grigorian`s complicity in the crime and whether or not the weapon had been acquired legally. In cooperation with the State Border Service, investigators are also working to establish how the gun was brought into Azerbaijan.
The shooting occurred at the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy shortly after the bell rang for morning classes. The gunman was said to have gone from floor to floor on the academy campus, firing upon innocent passersby using a Makarov pistol. Having seen that he would be apprehended by special police forces, which were immediately summoned, the gunman committed suicide. Motives of the crime are still unknown.
Two ethnic Azerbaijani citizens from Georgia were earlier detained as suspects in the armed assault.
Further, the Prosecutor-General`s Office and the Interior Ministry noted that, though the public has been informed about the established material evidence, proof and facts related to the crime, which is being investigated under the personal supervision of the Azerbaijani president, still numerous representatives of local opposition parties, the media outlets they own and their patrons abroad are unfortunately using this tragedy for their own political aims.
The joint statement said that in order to cause tension in the country`s socio-political life among students in a number of higher educational institutions and schoolchildren, rumors that are far from reality are being circulated regarding this crime.
"All attempts to disrupt public safety will be thwarted and adequate measures taken against the organizers and those involved in such instances," the statement added.
Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.
Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.
By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.
Subscribe
You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper
Thank you!