Thale Bagirzadeh: West, do not be afraid of Islamists

Being under arrest, the theologian Thale Bagirzadeh sent an appeal to the Western countries, urging them to be objective in assessing the situation in Azerbaijan.

Despite the lapse 20 years from the date of independence, the rights of the people are still not assured. 20% of Azerbaijani territory is under occupation of Armenians and the remaining 80% - under the occupation of the current regime. While in Armenia and Azerbaijan, the power will be in the hands of anti-democratic forces, the Karabakh conflict will not be resolved, said the theologian.

In Azerbaijan, there is no independent judiciary, and judges defend only the power. Instead, power gives them the opportunity to earn money, take bribes.

Serious reforms are necessary to carry out power change. Journalists, political activists, and dissented people are arrested and charged every day for crimes related to drugs, bullying, and possession of weapons.

Pro-government media, trying to prevent the rise of the democratic forces to power, sow distrust among the masses, even though the people want only one thing - democratic elections.

However, the silence of people demanding their rights is impossible. It is hard to see the daily arrests and more and more people subjected to torture, but that will not help the authorities.

"Such regimes supported by Western countries may remain in power, but this support is lost over the years," he said.

Bagirzadeh urges Western world not to be afraid of the faithful, and believe that Islam is peace and brotherhood and fair religion. "Beware of the godless regimes that introduce corruption at the expense of the national wealth," emphasized the theologian.

Recall that Thale Bagirzadeh was arrested March 31 on a false charge of possession of heroin. The real reason for his arrest was public criticism of the domestic and foreign policy of President Ilham Aliyev. -05D04-