CONSPIRATORS SENTENCED IN AZERBAIJAN…

The military board of Azerbaijan’s Supreme Court announced yesterday the sentencing of eight supporters of the country’s former, and ephemeral, prime minister Suret Huseinov. The eight were sentenced to terms of forced labor ranging from 10 to 14 years for their role in the abortive coup of October 1994, reportedly masterminded by Huseinov, against president Heydar Aliyev’s government. On December 12, the same court had sentenced Eldar Aliyev (bearer of a common Azeri name and not known to be related to the president) to death for his leadership role in the same abortive coup. Four accomplices were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 4 to 12 years. (19)

Huseinov, an Azeri businessman turned warlord in the Karabakh war, had established a fief in Azerbaijan’s northern city Gyandja and also controlled some of the country’s military and police forces. He was a temporary ally of President Heydar Aliyev against the Popular Front government in 1993 and became prime minister after the Popular Front’s fall from power, but went on to conspire with Moscow against Aliyev. After two abortive police plots, Huseinov was believed to taken refuge in Russia in 1994. The authorities have since accused Huseinov and his remaining supporters of planning coups and assassination attempts against Aliyev.

…And Arrested in Georgia.