Shiite theologian Ilgar Ibragimoglu detained in Azerbaijan

After searching his home, policemen have detained Haji Ilgar Ibragimoglu, a Shiite theologian and the head of the deyerler.org website. Law enforcers' interest in Ibragimoglu may have to do with a wave of repressions against religious figures amid the aggravation of Azerbaijani-Iranian relations; he can be accused of treason, human rights defenders believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Ibragimoglu was monitoring, as a member of the group of international observers, the demonstration in Baku on October 16, 2003. He was sentenced to five years of conditional imprisonment. In 2005, Ibragimoglu was detained because he and a group of believers came to the mosque on the occasion of the anniversary of the expulsion of the community from there.

"I'm innocent before Allah and my people. We did everything in our power for the people and the state, including during the 44-day war," Mr Ibragimoglu said after he was visited by law enforcers.

"Ibragimoglu is a well-known religious figure and a human rights defender; he has always been notable for his active civil position," Rufat Safarov, the head of the NGO "Defence Line", has noted.

Elshan Gasanov, the head of the Centre for Monitoring Political Prisoners, said that since the early 2000s, Ibragimoglu has been combining human rights work with religious activities. The Centre for the Defence of Freedom of Religion and Conscience (DEVAMM), headed by the theologian, defended the rights of not only believers, but also of civil activists.