State Security Service: National Council Operated with Financial Support from Foreign Intelligence Services

The organization known as the "National Council of Democratic Forces" (National Council) engaged in activities aimed at organizing mass riots with the intent of violently seizing state power, with financial and other organizational support from foreign intelligence services.

This was stated in a declaration by the State Security Service (SSS).

It is noted that after the establishment of the organization "National Council of Democratic Forces" (National Council), which nominated foreign citizen Rustam Ibragimbekov as a candidate in the presidential elections of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2013, they carried out activities with financial and organizational support from foreign intelligence services. These activities were directed at organizing mass riots to violently seize power, disobeying the lawful demands of government representatives, disrupting public order, and interrupting the operation of transport, enterprises, agencies, and organizations. Additionally, they channeled funds amounting to 933,828.40 manats, including money received from Ramiz Mehdiyev and Abbas Abbasov through PNFA member Ibrahim Mamed Aziz oglu and other individuals, to recruit people from various regions of the republic for these actions.

According to technical evidence attached to the criminal case materials, members of the organization referred to as the "Union of Billionaires" were instructed to send Azerbaijani citizens under their subordination or patronage in a foreign state where they resided to Azerbaijan during the 2013 presidential elections. Each of these individuals was tasked with ensuring the involvement of relatives and close associates in Azerbaijan to be used in accordance with the instructions of foreign intelligence services at rallies and mass riots.

It has been revealed that, following preliminary negotiations and in line with the wishes of authorized persons from the relevant foreign state, a secret letter sent by the "National Council" to the leadership of this foreign state in 2013 contained a request to support the council's activities and a proposal to exert pressure on the Azerbaijani state to implement "reforms" similar to those conducted in that country.