Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
June 14, 2005, Tuesday

WAS THE PERSON CHARGED OF ESPIONAGE IN FAVOR OF AZERBAIJAN PREPARING
A TERRORIST ATTACK AGAINST ROBERT KOCHARYAN?

The trial on the case of Armenian citizen Andrei Maziyev, charged
of parricide, assistance in preparations of a terrorist attack and
assassination of the president, began in the Yerevan Court on June 9.

Andrei Maziyev, 44, a Russian by nationality, was born in Tuapse. He
worked as an engineer at the Zvartnots airport; he’s married and has
two children. Twice (in 1994 and 1999) convicted for hooliganism.
Under verdict, in October 1999, Maziyev was to Azerbaijan on
business, where he was enlisted by the Azerbaijani special services.
Until January 4, 2005 he received missions from the special services
and accomplished them. Overall, Maziyev met with members of the
Azerbaijani special services 17 times and received some $2,500 for
his services. He was sending Armenian newspapers issued in Russia to
Azerbaijan, gathered information on the domestic situation in Armenia,
the defense industries and the situation in the army, economic data,
as well as intelligence concerning Karabakh.

The Azerbaijani special services were particularly concerned with
the process of Armenian President Robert Kocharyan’s arrival at the
airport and his departure, how the president’s plane is guarded,
routes of the president’s escort around the airport. In autumn 2000
Maziyev took photos of the president’s plane landing, the helicopters
defending the airport from the air, the president coming down the
boarding bridge and his escort passing by the building where Maziyev
resides. He also took photos of the president’s plane and the airport
terminal. The photos were handed over to the Azerbaijani special
services; positions of snipers were marked. At the trial Maziyev has
fully recognized the charges brought against him. (…)