Opposition figure Gulu Mammadli stated that the arrest of Ali Karimli, leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), was expected, but the reasons go beyond simple criticism of the authorities. According to Mammadli, Karimli's publications in major Western media have increased his political significance and visibility abroad, which has caused concern among the Azerbaijani authorities.
Since 2022, two terrorist crimes have been committed and 37 terrorist crimes have been prevented in the North Caucasus Federal District. They were trained by supporters of ISIS, banned in Russia, and “persons recruited by Ukrainian special services and neo-Nazi organizations.” The National Anti-Terrorism Committee reports this.
We are not just talking about terrorist attacks; this category includes propaganda of terrorism, recruitment into the ranks of militants, and the like.
The Chairman of the NAC, Director of the FSB Alexander Bortnikov, noted that on the territory of the North Caucasus Federal District there is activity of international terrorist organizations and an increase in threats in the context of a “special military operation.” He also noted that Western intelligence services are not abandoning attempts to destabilize the socio-political situation in the North Caucasus.