Iran sees Israel connection in arrest of two Azeri ‘spies’
Press TV quotes official saying pair used methods identical to Israel
Iran’s state TV is reporting officials have interrogated two Azerbaijan citizens on charges of spying, saying the two may be linked to Israel.
The Tuesday report by the English language Press TV said the two were arrested in May. It identified them as Shahryar Hajizadeh and Farid Husseinov.
The report said they are connected to Azerbaijan’s secret service and planned to recruit Iranian dissidents. The report also quoted an official saying Israel may have had a hand in their training.
“The methods employed by the two agents is identical to those Israel has long been trying to implement,” Press TV quoted an official from the northern province of Azerbaijan.
“Israel’s recruitment and support of the extremists in the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as providing the necessary funds, know-how and training for these agents before eventually dispatching them to Iran, has led to a significant increase in the political and border tensions between the two countries,” the official said.
The report said the two obtained confidential information and images from strategic locations and facilities.
The TV report showed them admitting they entered Iran under cover of cultural activities. It also showed passports, a camera, computer flash drives and voice recorders.
Relations between Iran and Azerbaijan have soured recently. Iran accuses Azerbaijan of harboring anti-Iranian terrorists linked to Israel’s Mossad. Azerbaijan says Iran supports Islamist dissidents. Each country denies the other’s charges.