Accused Eurovision Plotters Go On Trial In Azerbaijan

After the contest last year, Azerbaijan's Security Ministry announced it had foiled a bid to stage attacks during the Eurovision competition.

Twenty-nine people have gone on trial in Azerbaijan for allegedly plotting terrorist attacks, including a plan to assassinate President Ilham Aliyev, during last year's Eurovision Song Contest in Baku.

The Baku Court for Serious Crimes checked the defendants' identities at the preliminary hearing on July 2.

The next trial session will take place next week.

After the contest last year, Azerbaijan's Security Ministry announced it had foiled a bid to stage attacks during the Eurovision competition.

More than 40 suspects were arrested. At least seven have already been convicted of terrorism and high treason and received prison sentences between 12 and 14 years.

Investigators said the group had links to neighboring Iran.

The group's leader reportedly was killed during an operation to arrest the suspects on the eve of the competition.

Based on reporting by Apa.az and Interfax