"Muslim Unity" activist accused of drug trafficking

Anar Djabbarov, extradited to Azerbaijan from Turkey on March 22, is accused of drug trafficking. An advocate reported violation of the activist's rights.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Anar Djabbarov, an activist from the movement "Muslim Unity", detained in Turkey, was taken to Baku on March 22. Human rights defenders associated the persecution of Anar Djabbarov with the conflict in Nardaran.

Khokyuma Djabbarova, a mother of the activist, said that since March 22, his family members could not find out a place of his detention. She believes the charges were fabricated.

The woman expressed the concern over her son. "He has been in custody for three weeks. We do not know what he wears, what he ate, and how he has been treated," the woman said.

The lengthy detention of Anar Djabbarov in custody could be associated with physical pressure on him, believes Elshan Gasanov, the coordinator of the "Union for the Freedom of Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan" (UFPPA). According to him, the article on drugs is often used to prosecute activists, including religious ones. "Under this article, Akhsan Nuruzade, a coordinator of the movement 'Muslim Unity', Elgiz Gakhramanov, an activist of the movement 'Nida', blogger Abdul Abilov, and many others were sentenced," noted Elshan Gasanov.