Azerbaijani secret service foils alleged coup


dpa German Press Agency
Published: Wednesday January 17, 2007

Baku/Moscow- For the second time in 18 months, the secret
service in the oil-rich republic of Azerbaijan on the Caspian Sea has
foiled an alleged coup plot, Interfax news agency reported Wednesday,
citing a source within the secret service.
A total of 13 people were arrested for treason, illegal possession
of weapons and forming a criminal association, Interfax said.

Further details were not immediately known.

In October 2005, the country's authoritarian President Ilham
Aliyev sacked several ministers for plotting a coup.

Public anger has been growing in the former Soviet republic since
significant price rises in electricity, petrol and gas at the
beginning of the year.

The united opposition has called for protest demonstrations in the
capital Baku at the end of the month.

© 2006 - dpa German Press Agency