22:35, 23 January 2007

Meeting of Moslems dispersed in Azerbaijan

On January 21, policemen forced a group of believers who wanted to honour the memory of shahids out of the Shahids' Alley in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Abgul Suleimanov, one of the participants of action, has told about it. The policemen demanded to present a permit on holding the action. "We have never asked for a permit to visit the Shahids' Alley, since the entry there is free on the national mourning day," Mr. Suleimanov has expressed his indignation.

It is necessary to note here that the authorities of Azerbaijan have recently strengthened pressure on believers. Another group of them from the settlement of Baladzhary, who tried to celebrate the "Hadri-Humm" holiday, was summoned to the police, where Moslems were subjected to physical violence and insults.

While the believers arrested yesterday, on January 22, in Gyandzha have been released. The cause of their arrest was a meeting of believers on the occasion of the start of the Magerram month.

Ilgar Ibrahimoglu, a human rights defender and head of the "Jumah" community, has expressed his serious concern about persecutions of believers.

Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent