Eurovision ‘terror attack plan’ foiled in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan foiled a bid to stage “terrorist” attacks while it was hosting the Eurovision Song Contest last weekend and arrested dozens of suspected plotters, the security ministry said.

“The main goal of the group was to stage terrorist acts in Baku during Eurovision,” the National Security Ministry said in a statement. “As a result of the measures taken, 40 members of the group were arrested.”

The group was planning attacks on the concert hall where the Eurovision was held, on Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, police buildings, hotels used by foreigners, mosques and other religious sites in the ex-Soviet state, it said.