Azerbaijani SC dismisses cassation appeal filed by theologian Sardar Babaev

The verdict pronounced against Sardar Babaev, sentenced to three years of imprisonment for violating the requirements of religious ceremonies, will be appealed to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), the theologian's defence has reported.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 3, 2017, Sardar Babaev, a member of the public association "Religious leaders of Azerbaijan", the editor-in-chief of the website "Maide.Az", was sentenced to three years of imprisonment for violating the requirements of religious ceremonies. According to law enforcers, Sardar Babaev illegally read sermons and led Friday prayers in the mosque of the Masally city, since it is forbidden to a person who got religious education abroad and Sardar Babaev was educated in Iran.

Today, the Supreme Court (SC) of Azerbaijan has considered the appeal of Sardar Babaev, advocate Javad Javadov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"It does not matter where a religious figure was educated. The main thing is in no violations of the law during sermons. Investigators have no complaints against Sardar Babaev concerning the content of his sermons. So, today, we asked the Supreme Court to request the Constitutional Court to interpret Article 168-1.3 of the Criminal Code Azerbaijan (violation of the requirements for conducting religious ceremonies) of the Azerbaijani Constitution. However, the Court dismissed the motion and ultimately the cassation appeal itself," said advocate Javad Javadov.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.