Azerbaijani Lawmaker Known For Criticism Of Iran Wounded In Gun Attack

Azerbaijan's State Security Service (DTX) says that it is investigating a "terrorist attack" after a member of parliament with strong anti-Iranian views was wounded in a gun attack.

Lawmaker Fazil Mustafa was hospitalized with gunshot wounds to his shoulder and thigh after being shot with a Kalashnikov assault rifle late on March 28, DTX said in a statement.

It said Mustafa's life was not in danger, and a criminal investigation had been opened to identify the perpetrator.

A local media report quoted the 57-year-old Mustafa as saying he had been hit by two bullets while driving into his garage.

Mustafa is the only representative in parliament of the Boyuk Qurulus (Great Creativeness) party loyal to the government.

He is known in the chamber as an outspoken critic of Iran, Azerbaijan's southern neighbor, with which Baku has often had strained relations.

In January, Azerbaijan closed its embassy in Tehran after what it called a "terrorist attack" that killed the diplomatic mission’s head of security.

Ethnic Azeris number more than 12 million people in Iran and represent the country's largest minority group.