
The Armenian AZG news agency reported on November 3, 2001 that the Jeyshullah Islamic extremist organization, which tried to blow up the US embassy in the past, may be responsible for the desecration of a Jewish cemetery in Baku, Azerbaijan in mid-October, 2001. Mr. Ikhilov is quoted as saying that such incidents have happend before, including antisemitic grafitti on the walls of their (Mountain Jews') synagogue and antisemitic drawings and slogans on apartment house walls. The Azeri MVD has instituted a 24 hour guard post of the synagogue, though it is not clear if this was done recently or before. The report ends with the following quote:
"In Ikhilov's words, today's tense situation does not allow the hope that the desecration of the cemetery will be the last antisemitic attack."
The same day, the Azerbaijani news agency Sharg reported that around 50 Jewish graves were destroyed in the attack. The head of the press service of the Islamic Party, Qurban Cabrayil, is quoted as pointing the finger at Jeyshulla. He added that police should arrest the culprits soon, otherwise Muslim graves may be desecrated in response, which is clearly absurd.
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