18:17, 26 July 2013

Arrest of theologian Talekh Bagirzade extended till September 30

On July 26, the Nariman District Court of Baku extended for another two months, until September 30, the arrest of the theologian Talekh Bagirzade, accused of illegal possession of drugs. His defence did not agree with the ruling and intends to appeal it at the Baku Court of Appeal.

Investigators motivate the arrest extension by the fact that the results of the linguistic examination of Bagirzade's public statements "on the subject of anti-state calls" have not arrived, Djavad Djavadly, Bagirzade's advocate, said in his interview to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The lawyer has treated the examination of Bagirzade's public statements as unjustified. "Talekh Bagirzade has never called to seizure of power, change of the constitutional system or other illegal actions," said Djavadly. In his view, his client has just criticized the authorities, but "it meets the constitutional provision of the freedom of expression."

On the day of the session, more than 50 worshipers came to the courthouse to support Bagirzade. They chanted "Freedom!" Law enforcers did not intervene; and none of the protesters was detained, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent