Azerbaijan's Internal Ministry: "The detained police officer is not involved in explosion in Abu Bekir mosque"

Local mass media spread information about Ali Akhundov's detainment due to suspicions of his being involved in the explosion in Abu Bekir mosque. Mass media report that criminal expert Ali Akhundov was detained in the result of an operation, conducted by officials of the department of the Internal Ministry on combat with organized crime.

The investigation revealed illegally stored arms and ammunitions, which were not delivered to the police after being found during searches, at Akhundov's office. The so-called radical religious literature was also found. Akhundov faces charges under article 228 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.

"Information that Ali Akhundov faces charges on the case about explosion at the Abu Bekir mosqur is false. Akhundov is not involved in this case. The criminal expert was detained for illegal storage of ammunitions and he accepted the charges, presented to him under article 228 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan", said Zahidov.

As for the number of victims during the explosion in the Mosque, the official of the press service noted that their exact number has already been defined.

"The overall number of victims is 21 people. Of then 2, including Vagif Abbasov, born in 1957, Baku resident and 24 year old Tayar Valiaddinov, Aghsu resident, died on the spot. 19 people were wounded with 15 insignificantly.

Four of them are still under medical examination", resumed Zahidov.

In turn, assistant prosecutor of Baku city Ramiz Rzayev, investigating an explosion in Abu Bekir mosque, said he has no information about Akhundov's detention. He said the investigation is carried out by the Sabail police station and the district prosecutor's office.