The behavior of the masses allows the authorities to arrest anyone for any libel

On October 19, members of the public association "Mejlis of the clergy of Azerbaijan" - Sardar Babayev, Jalal Shafiyev, Gadir Mammadov, Alia Musayev and Tamkin Jafarov were detained. They say that all of them are employees of the maide.az website.

The relatives of these persons reported that on October 19 at about 0.4 - 0.5 pm they were detained by officers of the State Security Service (SSS), and their homes were searched: “Computers and telephones were seized. In the morning Jalal Shafiyev and Gadir Mammadov were released, but a few hours later they were detained again. "

Also on October 19, it became known about the detention of the theologian, chairman of the Center for the Protection of Freedom of Religion and Conscience (DEVAMM - Dini Etiqad və Vicdan Azadlıqlarının Müdafiə Mərkəzinin)) Ilgar Ibrahimoglu. However, according to him, at night, after being interrogated by the State Security Service as a witness, he was released.

It is widely believed in social media that the arrests are connected with Iranian agents in Azerbaijan. Security expert Arastun Orujlu answered ASTNA's questions in connection with what is happening.

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Question: On October 19, 5 members of the Mejlis of the clergy of Azerbaijan were detained. What do you think are the reasons for these arrests?

Answer: Due to the lack of official information about the detainees, it is difficult to say anything concrete, and opinions expressed on the basis of information disseminated mainly in social networks can lead to erroneous judgments. In addition, reports that someone was detained and then several people were released and detained again indicate that the country's law enforcement and security agencies are acting hastily, unprepared and haphazardly, and conclusions drawn from such information may not be accepted. seriously. But even on the basis of such confusing information, in general, we can say that there is a problem in this area. But I repeat that this traditional style of work for government agencies only serves to create confusion and inappropriate confrontation in society. It is also clear that either there are some hesitations, or the detentions are ordered and therefore carried out without preparation.

Question: As you said, there is no official information about the charges brought and the reasons for the detention of the detainees. However, according to social media, the arrests come amid recent tensions with Iran. And, according to reports, the arrests are linked to Iranian agents in the country. How strong do you think the Iranian agents or the 5th column are in Azerbaijan? Does it really exist?

Answer: It is not a secret for anyone that Iran has an extensive agent network in Azerbaijan. Our country occupies one of the important places in Iran's foreign policy, and in this case, it is quite natural to have a wide network of agents or, in other words, the 5th column. Another thing is that in most cases, the opinion spread in society is often a false idea based on stereotypes. In our country, speaking about Iranian agents, in most cases they mean Shiites, although there are facts of exposure in Azerbaijan even of intelligence officers who worked for Iranian intelligence. True, as far as I know, some of these disclosures and even arrests were carried out on the basis of information transmitted by third countries, so I cannot say how substantiated they are. In addition, since Iran was under sanctions for a long time, Azerbaijan in a sense played the role of an outlet for it, which dictates the intelligence of the neighboring country to be more active and establish contacts with wider circles of Azerbaijan. I would like to say that it is fundamentally wrong to hang the label of an "Iranian agent" and denigrate all believers.

Question: If there were Iranian agents in the country and it was known about this, then why did they not stop their activities in time? Why are any steps being taken right now, when relations with Iran are tense?

Answer: The fact that Iran has an extensive agent network in Azerbaijan is known to everyone and has been known for a long time. The reason for trying to take steps now, it seems to me, is related to the recent tensions between Azerbaijan and Iran. I see no other reason. In fact, the arrest of a foreign intelligence agent is most often and, in any country, associated more with the political situation. A professional approach dictates work in different areas related to espionage. As for what happened in this particular case, it seems that there are some domestic reasons.

Question: Is it possible that the detainees have nothing to do with this network of agencies, and the government took this step to teach Iran a lesson?

Answer: Perhaps, and unfortunately, there are many such cases. For example, such cases took place when the Ministry of National Security was headed by the criminal group of Eldar Mahmudov. The most famous of them was the false accusation presented in the media as "the case of Sayeed Dadashbeyli's gang", as a result of which the arrested, who had no ties with Iran, were sentenced to 12-14 years in prison, and one of them was tortured and killed by criminals from  Ministry of Natural Security. It is paradoxical that the clarification of relations between the Azerbaijani authorities and foreign countries always leads to the arrest of citizens of the country on libel.

Question: Many experts say that even more massive arrests will take place under the pretext of Iranian agents. On this pretext, along with believers, even members of a secular civil society and political activists can be arrested. Experts talk about this based on previous experience. How is it possible?

Answer: The likelihood of such cases is not excluded, moreover, the socio-political environment in the country also creates the basis for this. I mean the created or purposefully created environment in Azerbaijan, especially in the media and social media segment of the country. In the country, under the cover of patriotism, there is an angry, aggressive and as if thirsty for blood mass. The behavior of this mass allows state and government bodies, falsely accusing them of any crime, to arrest any person and even a group of people. The "Terter affair", which I have been studying in detail for almost 4 years, happened precisely against the background of public support for this dangerous mass. The worst thing is that today, despite the fact that information about the atrocities committed in Terter is in the spotlight, this socially dangerous mass not only does not apologize, admitting its mistake, but even shows even more activity. I must admit that in such conditions anything is possible. Especially if the socio-economic crisis in the country and the collapse of the management system are pushing for this. Therefore, it is difficult to make an optimistic forecast. It is known that in such cases, authoritarian regimes resort to repression as the most effective means available in their arsenal.

Question: Do you think the arrests will continue?

Answer: I would, with your permission, answer this question as follows - arrests or their absence will not solve the deep systemic crisis in the country, because the way out of the crisis is not arrests, repression and whipping up an atmosphere of fear in society, but broad rational reforms. Frankly speaking, I do not expect reforms to be carried out. On the whole, I look into the near future without much optimism.

Kamran Mahmudov