Some analysts describe the current events in Azerbaijan as "hunt for witches". 16 people were accused of coup d'etat attempt, treason, gang formation and forgery. According to Azeri Security Ministry's Spokesman Arif Babayev, these people's guilt of keeping drugs and weapons was established. Their names are not made public in the interests of investigation. "Some analysts assume interference of third states; the others suppose that with these arrests the authorities try to distract the attention of masses and weaken unprecedented tension in Azerbaijan that resulted in rise in prices for energy, petrol and water," Azeri analyst Elhan Nasibov told RFE/RL. In his words, such wave of arrests is launched every year during the period of social tension.