Mirtaghi Asadov Early Released from Administrative Arrest

Baku / 29.11.18 / Turan: Mirtaghi Asadov, the head of the Highest Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Georgia, arrested in Azerbaijan for 30 days in administrative order, was released from custody ahead of time. This decision was made by the Baku Court of Appeal on November 29. This was reported by the Highest Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Georgia. Asadov"s wife, Shahana Hajiyeva, also confirmed to Turan that her husband has been released.

Asadov"s arrest would be expired on December 8. It is noteworthy that earlier, on November 19, the Court of Appeal rejected his appeal against the arrest.

The arrest of Asadov caused a resonance in the human rights community of Georgia and 14 NGOs of this country called on Tbilisi and Baku to "take timely and effective measures to restore the rights of the detained cleric."

Georgian citizen Asadov was detained on November 7 at the entrance to the territory of Azerbaijan. On November 8, the Narimanov Court of Baku arrested him for 30 days. The police"s protocol stated that Georgian citizen Mirtaghi Asadov on November 8, 2018 near house No. 43 on A. Alizadeh Street at 12:30 pm was swearing loudly on the phone using swear words, not obeying the lawful demand of the police. In respect of Asadov, the Ministry of Internal Affairs drew up a report on articles of the Code of Administrative Offenses: 535.1 (disobeying legal demands of the police) and 510 (petty hooliganism) of the Code on Administrative Offenses.

On November 19, at the Baku Court of Appeal, Asadov denied the charges and said he had confessed under pressure.

Two years ago, Mirtaghi Asadov renounced the citizenship of Azerbaijan. He lives in Georgia, of which he is a native citizen. His family lives in Azerbaijan and therefore he periodically comes here. -06B--