In Azerbaijan, Nardaran residents demand to release theologian Bagirzade

Today, residents of the village of Nardaran in Azerbaijan have held a protest in demand of release of theologian Talekh Bagirzade and other believers, arrested for taking part in actions in defence of citizens' religious rights.

Bagirzade was detained on March 31 and taken to the police. According to Anar Gasimov, his advocate, Bagirzade is accused of illegal possession of drugs.

The protest was attended by over 300 residents of Nardaran and neighbouring localities. Nardaran is located on the shore of the Caspian Sea, about 30 kilometres to north-east of Baku.

Ali Guseinov, the local elder, said, addressing the rally, that theologian Bagirzade was actually kidnapped; and his relatives and friends were not even notified about the detention.

"The charges against him of drug possession are totally spurious and offensive to believers," said Guseinov. He added that "the Azerbaijani authorities are serving the USA and Israel" and, therefore, persecute the believers.

In response to his speech, the protesters began chanting anti-US and anti-Israeli slogans. They also periodically chanted "Allah Akbar!" and other religious slogans in Arabic.