Performer of religious songs released from police

Kamran Ferat, a well-known singer of religious songs in Azerbaijan, who had been detained on November 16, was released late in the evening of the same day, lawyer Zibeida Sadigova said. She noted that during the detention she was not allowed to see the musician.

Ferat himself and his family members were not available for comment.

After Ferat's detention, an 8-minute video message was distributed.

In the video, Ferat says that he had prepared this appeal in advance, assuming that he could be detained and arrested. He notes that he asked his family members to distribute this video after his detention.

In the video, the musician says that he has not committed any crimes, and if he is arrested, it means that the reason for this is his performance of religious songs, including composing music for the Muslim Unity Movement.

Ferat points out that the claims spread in April in some media that he is an "Iranian spy" are false.

“It's all a lie. My songs are about truth-justice. It's not true that I served Iran. I am a patriot of Azerbaijan. I dedicated songs to Shehid Mubariz (national hero of Azerbaijan), who fell in the 44-day war of 2020 April battles (2016). I didn't sing songs against my state. Themes of my songs were dedicated to Ahli Bayt (designation of the family of the Prophet Muhammad accepted in the Islamic tradition - revered by Shiites)," Ferat further noted.