Shiite theologian Rustamov detained in Azerbaijan

Akhliman Rustamov, a Shiite theologian, has been detained in Azerbaijan; a search was conducted in his house, and religious literature was seized. Azeri authorities are using the tension in relations with Iran to put pressure on Shiites, the activists interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" believe.

The detention of Akhliman Rustamov, a Shiite theologian and a former Akhund of the "Haji Djavad" Mosque, became known on October 25. "It was about one o'clock in the afternoon. Employees of the Azeri State Security Service (SSS) came to our house. They searched it, seized several religious books, handcuffed my father and took him away. We were told nothing. We are now looking for an advocate to deal with my father's case," Gasim Rustamov, a theologian's son, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Arzu Abdulla, a member of the Committee for the Defence of Islamists' Rights, has doubted the guilt of the recently detained theologians. The accusations are unconvincing, he told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. Authorities have launched a campaign against believers by making use of the Azerbaijani-Iranian tensions, Mr Abdulla believes.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on October 26, 2021 at 00:2 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.