Islamist radicals aim to overthrow Azerbaijan's law and order and turn the Caucasian republic into a religion-based state, Azerbaijani authorities charged. "A number of religious groups, controlled by Iran and other Arab countries, aim to seize power in Azerbaijan," Deputy Security Minister Tofik Babayev said Wednesday."To reach that goal, extremists try to create a social base for themselves, preparing their people and organizations for an easy takeover," Babayev told reporters. After a pro-Iran Islamist Party's attempt to stage a coup several years ago was foiled, Iranian religious groups were trying to infiltrate Azeri society by setting up illegal schools, Babayev said. The followers of Wahhabism, a radical Islamist school of thought, are a particular menace to Azerbaijan, the deputy minister said. Over 7,000 Azeris are enrolled in Wahhabite groups, and some 300 people had received training on Wahhabite bases in the neighboring region of Dagestan, Babayev said. (AFP)