Azerbaijan jails 4 for Eurovision ‘terror plot’

BAKU - Agence France-Presse

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A court in Azerbaijan yesterday sentenced four people to lengthy prison terms for attempted “terrorist” attacks during the Eurovision Song Contest the country hosted in May.

“Four citizens of Azerbaijan have been sentenced to jail terms varying from 12 to 14 years,” the Baku city court said in a statement. “Cases of other suspects are still being heard.” Azerbaijan’s Security Ministry said in May it foiled a bid to stage “terrorist” attacks while the ex-Soviet country was hosting the pop extravaganza and arrested 40 suspected plotters. According to the ministry, the group, which had links with Iran, was planning attacks on the concert hall where Eurovision was held, on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, police buildings, hotels used by foreigners, mosques and other religious sites in the Caucasus state. Security services detained the alleged gang during operations in various cities and regions of the country, the ministry said.