Theologian Akhliman Rustamov released by special services

Late in the evening, Shiite theologian Akhliman Rustamov, detained on October 25, was released without charge after being interrogated by the State Security Service of Azerbaijan.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on October 25, it became known about the detention of Akhliman Rustamov, the former akhund (a Muslim scholar of the highest rank, an analogue of the Arab qadi, – note of the “Caucasian Knot”) of the “Gadji Djavad” mosque. His house was searched.

Akhliman Rustamov was released closer to midnight on October 25 after an interrogation at the State Security Service. No charges were brought against him, the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent was informed by theologian’s son Gasim Rustamov.

Elshan Gasanov, the head of the Monitoring Centre for Political Prisoners, notes that the law enforcement bodies have the authority to conduct short-term detentions up to 48 hours.

“However, in the recent days, the detentions of believers look like a campaign against them. And this is obviously due to the tension in relations between Azerbaijan and Iran. The pro-government media describe all Shiite theologians and religious figures as if they are all ‘the fifth column of Iran,’ but this is not serious. It is always convenient for officials to hang the labels of ‘traitors’ on persons unwanted by the authorities who have independent judgments that differ from the propaganda of the authorities,” Elshan Gasanov told the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on October 26, 2021 at 12:04 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.