Cleric arrested for drug possession

Yesterday the police arrested a resident of Nardaran, theologian Taleh Bagirzadeh. According to his lawyer, Anar Gasimli, he is accused under article 234.1 (illegal possession of drugs) - they found 1.26 grams of heroin on him.

Bagirzadeh’s driver was also arrested and is charged with illegal possession of weapons. Both are in the Sabunchu district police.

The lawyer has not been able to meet Bagirzadeh. According to him, on April 2, the court will consider a preventive measure against Bagirzadeh.

Arrest of Bagirzadeh angered the Nardaran believers, and they are going to hold a protest today at 15:00.

Local residents believe that Bagirzadeh was arrested for preaching in the mosque Hazrat Abbas, which is attended by residents of the Apsheron settlements of Mashtaga, Bilgah and Nardaran. This mosque was built three years ago at the expense of the faithful in Nardaran.

Caucasian Muslims Office (CMO) appointed Akhund Mirjafar Gasanli to that mosque. However, there were also sermons by other theologians – Bagirzadeh and Zulfugar Mikailzadeh. This caused discontent of the CMO, which ordered both be prohibited entry to the mosque.

Note that Bagirzadeh and Mikailzadeh were part of protests against the ban on headscarves and were convicted for that. Bagirzadeh spent 1.5 years in prison and Mikailzadeh received a suspended sentence. -05B/06/16-