Islamists Denounce Pressure on Believers

The recent events surrounding the believers resemble a provocation, as if some force specifically creates confrontation.

Such an opinion in an interview with Turan was expressed by the head of the Movement of the Islamic Resistance in Karabakh Rovshan Ahmadli commenting the beating of the theologian Taleh Bagirzadeh in the police, the arrest of his deputy Elchin Gasimov and the believers protesting against this.

Ahmadli noted that the pressure on believers began with the onset of Muharram mourning. Thus, on 23 December, the procession of believers in Ganja was broken up.

This pressure is intended to change the content of religious ceremonies.

Another reason for the pressure on believers is the desire to divert public attention from the rigging of elections and the shameful events in the activities of the security services.

Ahmadli urged the authorities to punish the head of the Yasamal district police Isfendiyar Mehbaliyev who personally beat the theologian Bagirzadeh.

"This man was once expelled from the police. Then he returned. His father Sattar Mehbaliyev is an MP and head of the Confederation of Trade Unions.

His name was also involved in the scandal of the self-immolation of a Karabakh war veteran. As long as these people creating tyranny go unpunished, the lawlessness will continue," said Ahmadli, urging the authorities to put an end to illegal actions against believers.

Otherwise it will have undesirable consequences for all. -05B-