Azerbaijan started to investigate the disqualification of nine Azerbaijani weightlifters for doping scandal, the Minister of Youth and Sports said on Friday.

Minister Azad Rahimov said the ministry treats the issue of doping very seriously and pays close attention to the anti-doping policy.

"Now we are investigating the incident in close contact with the Federation of Weightlifting of Azerbaijan," Rahimov said.

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) this week fined Azerbaijan 500,000 US dollars and waived a possible suspension after nine lifters were caught doping last year, IWF announced Tuesday.

Five male and four female weightlifters failed drug tests in 2013 and most were suspended for two years.

IWF urged Azerbaijan to initiate an investigation on athletes, coaches and team doctors.

ANN.Az