22:36, 11 March 2005

High-ranking police officers involved in kidnappings

The National Security Ministry of Azerbaijan has conducted a special operation to neutralise an organised crime group that has long been involved in kidnappings. The operation has resulted in releasing the wife of Dzhangir Gadzhiyev, President of the International Bank of Azerbaijan, who was abducted twenty days ago, informed sources say. To set her free, the abductors demanded $15 million, according to unofficial reports. They held the woman in a bunker belonging to Colonel Gadzhi Mamedov, a senior official at the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry's Criminal Investigation Department, local television channel ANS reported. The colonel himself was detained in a bunker near Keshlya, Baku district, where a large store of weapons was uncovered.

Overall, about 20 people were detained. One person shot himself during the detention, sources say. Other high-ranking police officials are among the detainees. Analysts do not rule out the incident may result the resignation or dismissal of present Minister of Internal Affairs Ramil Usubov.

More info about Azerbaijan:

Human Rights Practices in Azerbaijan - 2004

Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent