19:44, 3 August 2013

Religious figure Javid Mamedov released in Azerbaijan

The theologian Javid Mamedov is back at large in Azerbaijan, said Emil Mamedov, the head of the NGO "In Support of Democracy".

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Javid Mamedov was detained on October 19, 2012, by the police of the Nasimi District of Baku and accused of organizing a believers' action in defence of the religious hijab. On October 22, he was charged with illegal possession of weapons and sentenced to one year in prison.

On August 3, the "Contact Online News" reported with reference to Emil Mamedov that Javid Mamedov was released on August 2 with 2.5 months left till the end of his term. It was not specified why he was released before term.

Let us remind you that on April 22, 2013, eight believers who participated in protests were convicted to imprisonment from five to six years; and on May 20 ten people more were sentenced to prison terms ranging from one and a half to two years; and on June 3 the court sentenced six more persons to the terms from one year and nine months to six years in prison.