Five Azerbaijani nationals arrested for fighting in Syria

The men – Zaur Heydarov, Elbrus Azizov, Vaqif Talibov, Elsan Ismayilov and Rufan Agcabayov – were arrested upon their return to Azerbaijan.

The suspects face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty of "participation in illegal armed formations”.

Hundreds of Azerbaijani nationals, mostly members of the Salafi community, left the country for Syria to fight a jihad, or holy war, after the civil war started in the Middle Eastern nation.

Dozens have been killed or arrested upon return.