Group of Believers Condemned in Lankaran

In Lankaran the Court of Grave Crimes sentenced the editor of a religious online edition Haber44.com Araz Guliyev and seven other persons. They were arrested after they opposed the disco in Masally, calling it "immoral." The incident took place in September last year and at the same time these people were arrested.

According to the lawyer Fariz Namazly, Araz Guliyev was found guilty on several articles of the Criminal Code: 228.1 (carrying, storage and transportation of firearms), 233 (organization of, and participation in activities that disrupt public order), 283.1 (inciting national and religious hatred), 315.2 (resistance to authority), and 324 (offensive action against the flag and emblem of Azerbaijan). He was sentenced to eight years in prison.

The Court condemned a group of believers and friends of the editor. Khalid Kazymov, was sentenced to eight years in prison and Ziya Tahirov and Rza Agali to seven years. Namik Kishiyev received four and a half years, Suraj Agayev - five years, Nijat Aliyev - four and a half years of imprisonment and to Vusal Guliyev 3 years on probation.

The lawyer said his client Araz Guliyev pleaded not guilty to the charges, as he stated in the court. He believes the reason for his persecution is that he had written articles critical of the authorities.

As for the charges under article 324 (insulting the flag and emblem of Azerbaijan), it is unclear for what reason this article was generally raised. The lawyer said the charges are politically motivated.

Other defendants also said they did not consider themselves guilty. -16B04-