22:59, 11 January 2007

Azerbaijan extended arrest of journalists who insulted Prophet Mohammed

Today, the Nasiminskiy Court of the capital of Azerbaijan has extended the custody term of publicist Rafik Tagi and Samir Sadagatoglu, editor of the "Sanat" (Arts) newspaper.

The journalists were arrested on court judgment on November 15 last year. They were found guilty under the article on kindling national, racial and religious enmity (Article 283.1 of the Criminal Code).

The cause of their arrest was the article by Rafik Tagi in the November issue of the "Sanat" newspaper entitled "Europe and We." The article contained utterances in relation to Prophet Mohammed and Islam that caused people's protest.

Islamic radicals in Azerbaijan and Iran simultaneously passed death verdicts to the journalists. Then, Rafik Tagi had to hideout - he changed his apartment, where he lived under police guard.

After arrest, Mr. Tagi and Mr. Sadagatoglu were taken to the isolation custody of the Ministry of National Security of Azerbaijan, where they are kept until now.