In Azerbaijan, residents and representatives of religious organizations report on arrests of more than 20 believers

Representatives of various media and religious authorities of Azerbaijan report that more than 20 Islamists were arrested in the country in recent days. Law enforcement agencies do not officially comment on those reports.

More than 15 persons were arrested in the village of Nardaran near Baku. This was told to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by Natig Kerimov, one of the local elders. According to him, arrests and searches are conducted at nights by persons, who introduce themselves as officials from the Ministry of National Security (MNS) of Azerbaijan.

Natig Kerimov also reported that because of lack of money, relatives of the detained persons cannot hire lawyers and have no accurate information about their fate.

"According to unofficial information, prisoners face charges of illegal possession of weapons, drugs, terrorism, and even treason," said Natig Kerimov.

He has reported that his 51-year-old brother Niyazi Kerimov is among the detainees. "He participated in the Karabakh war and got a concussion. Recently, my brother received medical treatment at the clinic for mentally ill persons No. 1 at the village of Mashtaga. At present, I try to find a lawyer for him," said Natig Kerimov.

According to him, his two cousins were also arrested. One of them, Abulfaz Zakiev, has a heart disease. "He received medical treatment in Iran for two months, and he underwent a heart surgery, at present, Abulfaz is accused that he had allegedly got some training there. I do not believe in those accusations. All detainees are honest, deeply religious people and patriots. Many of them participated in the Karabakh war. No one had weapons. This is a provocation," said Natig Kerimov.

Law enforcement agencies do not formally report on arrests and charges.