Seven Religious Activists Sentenced in Ganja

Baku / 02.11.18 / Turan: The Ganja Kapaz District Court read out a verdict against the religious activist Firudin Zeynalov and 6 more accused.

They were arrested last year after clashes with the police during the Ashura religious ceremony at the Imamzadeh Sanctuary in Ganja.

The court found the believers guilty under art. 315.2 (resisting the police with violence) and 221.3 (hooliganism) of the Criminal Code.

The court sentenced Zeynalov to 3 years, and the other six - to one year and 4 months in prison.

Zeynalov called the court decision ordered and said he would appeal the verdict. In the last word, he said the reason for his arrest on fabricated charges was the fight against the injustice of the authorities.

According to Zeynalov, he was subjected to pressure since 2000, when, as a student, he defiantly refused to join the ruling New Azerbaijan Party and became a participant in the events of the opposition parties.

In recent years, he has been subjected to pressure for participating in the actions of the Muslim Unity Movement and other opposition organizations.

It is noteworthy that a month after the attempt on the head of Ganja, Elmar Veliyev (July 3 of this year), Zeynalov, who is in prison, was charged with another 8 grave articles, including terrorism. -05B-