Fourth member of Shakhbazov family from Nardaran detained

Natig Shakhbazov, a resident of the Bakuvillage of Nardaran, was detained on suspicion of illegal possession of firearms. He is the fourth member of his family, brought to criminal liability after a special operation conducted in Nardaran in November 2015, said his advocate Fariz Namazly.

"Atabala Shakhbazov, Natig's father was arrested after the Nardaran events on December 1, 2015. He was charged with illegal storage of weapons", says advocate Fariz Namazly. "Ali Shakhbazov, Natig's brother, was offered at the police that one of the sons took on the 'guilt' of the father and jailed instead of him. Ali Shakhbazov decided to claim responsibility for the firearms, allegedly found in their house," Mr Namazly said. "Ali Shakhbazov was arrested on the following day and charged with other 10 articles, including terrorism, and now he is a figurant in the so-called 'Nardaran case-2', together with Elchin Gasymov, Deputy Chairman of the Movement 'Muslim Unity' and 11 other religious activists."

The advocate has noted that Atabala Shakhbazov was never released, and was subsequently sentenced to 2.5 years of imprisonment.

Fariz Namazli said that Fail Shakhbazov, Natig's brother, was the third detainee from the Shakhbazov family. Ali had actively participated in the support group during the trial of Talekh Bagirzade and 17 other believers.

Talekh Bagirzade, the leader of the movement "Muslim Unity", and 17 his supporters are accused of organizing riots in Nardaran in the course of a special operation on November 26, 2015. Then, seven persons were killed there, including two law enforcers.

The prosecution of the Shakhbazov family has to do with their religious beliefs, says Ogtay Gyulyalyev, the head of the public alliance "Azerbaijan without Political Prisoners".

"We studied the cases of these people; they are ordinary believers, not even members of the 'Muslim Unity' movement. They fell victims to repression against residents of Nardaran, always known for their strong religious traditions," Mr Gyulyalyev said.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.