Founder of "Stop sycophants!" Facebook group arrested on charges of drug trafficking in Baku

Abdul Abilov, an active user of social networks, was detained in Azerbaijan on charges of drug trafficking. His relatives believe that the young man is persecuted for founding the group "Stop sycophants!" on the Facebook, whose members criticize the Azerbaijani authorities. The MIA of Azerbaijan rejects any political motives of the case.

Abilov was detained on November 25 on the basis of intelligence information, as Orkhan Mansurzade, an employee of the press service of the Azerbaijani MIA, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, adding that during a search of Abilov's apartment heroin was confiscated, while the detainee has admitted of being a drug addict.

Fargana Novruzova, an employee of the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) said that her organization will monitor the investigation of this case.

"We are worried by the tendency to persecute active users of social networks on charges related to drugs. Earlier, journalists and believers were persecuted under these articles. However, this year we see a trend of using this article also to active users of social networks, and bloggers," Ms Novruzova told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.