BAKU — Azerbaijani security forces have taken three men into custody for their suspected involvement in planning an attack on a foreign diplomatic mission in the capital, officials announced Tuesday. The trio is alleged to have acted under guidance from the extremist Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) network, according to the nation’s State Security Service.
Suspects Accused of Plotting Embassy Assault
A government statement said security personnel disrupted the plot before it could be carried out. The three individuals — all identified by authorities — are accused of acquiring weapons and coordinating with ISIS-K operatives to target an embassy in Baku. Officials have not disclosed which diplomatic mission was to be targeted.
Two of the suspects were born in 2005 and one in 2000, the announcement said. They are now facing charges related to “preparation for terrorism” motivated by religious hostility, and investigations into the plot are ongoing.
ISIS-K’s Influence and Regional Security Context
Islamic State Khorasan — the Afghan-linked offshoot of the broader ISIS network — has a history of claiming responsibility for high-profile attacks, including the deadly 2024 assault at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall that killed at least 145 people.
Azerbaijan, a secular republic in the South Caucasus bordering Russia and Iran, has previously thwarted other extremist-linked schemes. Last October, a local court sentenced another individual tied to ISIS-K to 13 years in prison for planning an attack on a synagogue in Baku using a Molotov cocktail.
Government Response and Next Steps
Officials in Baku say national security remains a top priority as they pursue additional leads in this case. The arrests highlight ongoing efforts by Azerbaijani authorities to prevent acts of terror and dismantle extremist plots before they can threaten public safety or diplomatic relations.
