Mass Shootings In Azerbaijan: A Troubling Trend

Azerbaijan has experienced a number of mass shootings in recent years, including the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy shooting in 2009, which resulted in the deaths of 12 people and left several others wounded. In addition, a fatal shooting at the Azerbaijan Embassy in Iran in 2023 and a school shooting in 2009 have also been reported. While the exact number of mass shootings in Azerbaijan is unclear, it is included in a list of developed countries that have experienced mass shootings in the past few decades.

Azerbaijan State Oil Academy shooting

On 30 April 2009, a mass shooting occurred at the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy (ASOA), a public university in Baku, Azerbaijan. The perpetrator, 28-year-old Farda Gadirov, was a Georgian citizen of Azerbaijani descent. Gadirov entered the university and climbed five floors of the building, shooting indiscriminately, mainly in the head, and killing 12 people and wounding 13 others. Among the dead were students and staff members, including the Deputy Principal of the institution, Ramiz Abdullayev. Gadirov then fatally shot himself as the police approached.

The attack sparked a large-scale response, with two buses of special forces arriving at the scene. The building was cordoned off by armed police, and all major routes to the university were blocked. The injured were taken to ambulances outside the academy and evacuated to the hospital. Most were soon in stable condition, but some underwent surgery. All students were evacuated and sent home.

The motive for the attack remains unknown, and there were doubts about how an inexperienced assailant could have caused so many casualties with a Makarov pistol. Terrorism was suspected, and a criminal case was launched under various articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, including deliberate murder and illegal purchase and transfer of firearms.

The shooting had a significant impact, with 15 countries and the European Union expressing their condolences. The incident also raised questions about security in educational institutions, with calls for increased measures such as installing cameras at university entrances.

Subsequently, a Georgian citizen of Armenian origin, Mardun Gumashyan, was charged as the mastermind of the shooting. Gumashyan allegedly founded a criminal group that included Gadirov and offered them money to carry out a terrorist attack. However, there were conflicting reports about Gumashyan's involvement, and his arrest warrant through Interpol was disputed. The investigation and its aftermath highlighted tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia, with media outlets from both countries offering different narratives of the event.

Gunman's identity and motive

On April 30, 2009, a mass shooting occurred at the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy (ASOA), a public university in Baku, Azerbaijan. The perpetrator, 28-year-old Farda Gadirov, was a Georgian citizen of Azerbaijani descent. Gadirov was born in the village of Dashtapa near Marneuli and spent most of his life in Podolsk, Russia, after his uncle invited him to help with business matters. However, he returned to Baku for unknown reasons. An official from his home village, Vidadi Hasanov, described Gadirov as an unsociable child who rarely left his home.

Messages found on Gadirov's phone after the shooting indicated that he considered himself a "lone wolf." One message read: "I am coming to Baku, I will shoot everyone I meet regardless of their age. I will not give up to the police. I will experience the pleasure of killing." Photographs found at his home in Georgia showed him posing with a pistol, signed "Lone Wolf" and "My every step is death."

Gadirov attacked the second building of the ASOA, first killing a security guard and a cleaner before opening fire on students and lecturers. He then climbed from the first floor to the sixth, shooting people indiscriminately, mainly in the head. A witness reported that a student tried to stop him but was also shot. Another witness claimed there were two gunmen. Terrorism was suspected.

In total, twelve people were killed, including students and staff members such as the Deputy Principal of the institution, Ramiz Abdullayev. Several others were wounded, with some undergoing surgery. Gadirov ultimately shot himself as the police approached.

While Gadirov was identified as the perpetrator, there were doubts and questions surrounding the investigation. Azeri military expert Uzeyir Jafarov expressed skepticism about how an inexperienced assailant could inflict so many casualties with a Makarov pistol. Furthermore, there were allegations of torture during the interrogation process, and the role of a Georgian citizen of Armenian origin, Mardun Gumashyan, was scrutinized. Gumashyan was accused of being the mastermind behind the shooting, allegedly forming a criminal group that included Gadirov. However, Gumashyan denied any involvement, and there were conflicting reports about his arrest and the validity of the charges against him.

Azerbaijan's response to the shooting

Azerbaijan has experienced at least two mass shootings in recent years. The first was the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy shooting, which occurred on 30 April 2009. The second was an attack on the country's embassy in Iran on 27 January 2023. Here is a detailed response to each incident:

Azerbaijan State Oil Academy Shooting:

• The shooting took place at a public university in Baku, resulting in the deaths of twelve people, including students and staff members.
• The Azerbaijani government responded by deploying special forces to the scene and conducting a joint investigation with the Interior Ministry and Prosecutor General's Office.
• The perpetrator, Farda Gadirov, was identified as a 28-year-old Georgian citizen of Azerbaijani descent. He was found dead at the scene, having fatally shot himself as the police approached.
• The criminal case was launched under various articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, including deliberate murder, attempt to murder, and illegal purchase and transfer of firearms.
• The government provided financial assistance to the families of the victims and offered psychological aid to those affected by the tragedy.
• There were calls for increased security in postsecondary institutions, with proposals such as installing cameras at university entrances.
• A mourning ceremony was held, with participants laying flowers and lighting candles at the academy.

Attack on the Azerbaijani Embassy in Iran:

• A gunman stormed the Azerbaijani Embassy in Tehran, killing the head of security and wounding two guards.
• Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry called the attack an "act of terrorism" and accused Iran of failing to address previous security concerns.
• The Iranian authorities, including the Foreign Ministry and President Ebrahim Raisi, condemned the attack and denied any political motive, attributing it to the gunman's personal issues.
• Surveillance footage from the incident showed the attacker forcing his way into the embassy and shooting at people inside.
• Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev demanded a swift investigation and referred to the incident as a "terrorist act."
• Tensions between the two countries were heightened due to this incident, with Azerbaijan evacuating its diplomatic staff from Tehran and summoning Iran's ambassador to lodge a protest.
• Turkey, an ally of Azerbaijan, also condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Azerbaijan.

International reactions to the shooting

International Reactions to the 2009 Azerbaijan State Oil Academy Shooting

Georgia

The Georgian Foreign Ministry condemned the attack and expressed hope that the investigation would uncover all the details of the incident. The Governor of the Kvemo Kartli province, Davit Kirkitadze, offered condolences to the people and President of Azerbaijan:

> We, Georgians and Azerbaijanis, were always together in our happiness and grieve. I sorrow for this tragic event. This event grieved Georgians too as it hurt the heart of every Azerbaijani. We have to share our grieves as we share our happiness.

France

The French Foreign Ministry expressed sorrow about the armed attack at the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy, and strongly condemned the act of violence.

Iran

The Iranian embassy in Baku expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident, and grieved for the victims, who were students and young people.

Iraq

The Iraqi embassy in Azerbaijan expressed deep sadness about the murder of innocent teachers and students in the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy and condemned the act.

Israel

The Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Avigdor Lieberman, condemned the violent act and mourned the tragic loss of life alongside their friends in Azerbaijan.

Latvia

President Valdis Zatlers addressed Ilham Aliyev, stating that the Latvian people shared the deep sorrow of Azerbaijanis.

Turkey

President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey expressed their condolences.

United States

The U.S. Department of State spokesperson, Robert Wood, expressed sympathy and solidarity with the people of Azerbaijan, extending sincere condolences to the families and friends of those killed and wishing a speedy recovery to those wounded.

International Reactions to the 2023 Azerbaijan Embassy Shooting in Iran

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry summoned Iran's ambassador in Baku to demand justice, and accused Tehran of long ignoring its appeals to boost embassy security. Azerbaijan's President, Ilham Aliyev, demanded swift punishment for those involved in the "act of terrorism".

Iran

Iran's President, Ebrahim Raisi, called for a comprehensive investigation of the incident and sent his condolences to Azerbaijan and the dead man's family. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said that, based on evidence and initial observations, the gunman's motive was "completely personal".

Turkey

Turkey, which has close ties to Azerbaijan, condemned the attack, calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice and for measures to be put in place to prevent similar attacks in the future.

United States

U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that the U.S. condemns the attack, echoing President Aliyev's call for a prompt investigation into the unacceptable violence.

School shootings in Azerbaijan

On 30 April 2009, a mass shooting occurred at the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy (ASOA), a public university in Baku, Azerbaijan. Twelve people were killed, and several others were wounded by an armed assailant who then took his own life. The victims included students and staff members, among them the Deputy Principal of the institution, Ramiz Abdullayev.

The perpetrator was identified as 28-year-old Farda Gadirov (also spelt Farda Gadyrov), a Georgian citizen of Azerbaijani descent. Gadirov entered the university and climbed five floors of the building, indiscriminately shooting everyone he encountered. Witnesses reported seeing two gunmen, and terrorism was suspected. The assailant was found with three cartridge belts and two magazines, with a capacity of forty to seventy-one bullets.

The incident sparked a large-scale response, with two buses of special forces arriving at the scene. The building was cordoned off by armed police, and major routes to the university were blocked. The injured were treated and evacuated to hospitals, with most stabilised and some requiring critical care and surgery. All students were sent home.

The shooting resulted in a total of thirteen deaths, including the gunman. A joint statement by the Azerbaijan Interior Ministry and Prosecutor General's Office identified the perpetrator as Farda Gadirov, a 28-year-old Georgian citizen of Azerbaijani descent. According to the statement, Gadirov shot himself as the police approached. However, doubts were expressed about how an assailant with limited experience could inflict so many casualties with the weapon he possessed, a Makarov pistol.

The list of victims included students, staff members, and a cafeteria worker:

• Emin Abdullayev, 20, student
• Ramiz Abdullayev, 69, Deputy Principal of ASOA and Chairman of the Faculty of Oil and Gas Production
• Jeyhun Aslanov, 21, student
• Tamella Azizova, 58, lecturer and researcher
• Ruslan Babashov, 19, student
• Ayaz Baghirov, 21, student
• Yusif Bandaliyev, 20, student
• Ayna Gurbanova, 52, cafeteria worker
• Savalan Jabbarov, 22, student
• Taleh Mammadov, 21, student
• Shafa Mammadova, 31, laboratory assistant
• Majnun Vahidov, 63, associate professor, playwright, and chess composer
• Farda Gadirov, 28, gunman

The criminal case was launched, and financial assistance was scheduled to be provided to the families of the victims and the wounded. The incident sparked discussions about the need for increased security in educational institutions, with calls for the installation of cameras at university entrances.

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