16:09, 16 December 2008

Azerbaijan: trial of the case "Abu-Bekr" Mosque believers versus police resumed

On Tuesday, December 16, the Nariman District Court of Baku, presided by Judge Turgay Guseinova resumed consideration of the claim lodged by the religious community "Believers of Nariman District" versus Nariman District Police Department. The believers want to restart attending the "Abu-Bekr" Mosque, which was subjected to armed attack on August 17 this year, when a grenade exploded inside killing two persons and wounding 13 more.

The trial on the case began back in October. However, with the death of the presiding Judge Asif Allahverdiev the process was suspended.

At the court session on December 16, Akper Ismailov who is representing the Nariman District Police Department declared that the order to close the Mosque for the public is "a secret document" and cannot be presented to the court.

According to Mr Ismailov, a police post was set up at the Mosque for the safety of the residents of the surrounding houses. As he said, the restrictions on attending the Mosque will be lifted after the end of investigation.

For lack of any legal documents, the advocate called the Mosque blockade to be illegal.

Author: Faik Medzhid, CK correspondent