Taleh Bagirzade addressed the court with Friday sermon

Baku Court of Appeal upheld the decision to extend for a further one month period of detention theologian Taleha Bagirzade accused of illegal possession of drugs.

According to attorney Jawad Javadli during the consideration of the appeal, Bagirzade delivered a Friday khutbah (sermon).

"Today is Friday. Taking this opportunity, I want to make a khutbah. For now I do not have the opportunity to speak at the mosque," Javadli quoted the theologian.

Turning to the judges Bagirzade said that in custody he feels free. "We are not in prison. It is you that are in the dungeon. You do not force yourself to make decisions. We only carry out the orders of Allah.

We do not have an independent judiciary, and you do not have the will to make decisions," said the theologian.

Bagirzade said that if the law enforcement agencies and the courts have a claim to his performances, he will express their will and it is their case.

However, to carry out arrests of Islamists, planting drugs on them, does not fit into any framework.

The judges, in silence, listening to Bagirzade decided to dismiss the complaint by the theologian.

Bagirzade has been in custody since March 31. -06B -