What is behind the detention of Mirdagi Asadov?

Baku / 12.11.18 / Turan: Law enforcement agencies of Azerbaijan have not yet commented on the detention of religious leader Mirtagi Asadov on November 10. According to unofficial data, he is the leader of the religious association "Supreme Administration of Muslims of Georgia" operating in Georgia, which, according to Asadov, represents the interests of the Shiites.

Until 2011, the work with the Muslims of Georgia was led by the Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Caucasus (SAMC), headed by Sheikh Allahshukur Pashazade with its headquarters in Baku. In Georgia, there was a representation of the SAMC.

Since 2011, after the adoption of the law on religious associations in Georgia, several Islamic organizations have been registered: the Administration of Muslims of Georgia, the Association of Muslims of Georgia, and the Union of Muslims of Georgia. "Higher Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Georgia", representative of the SAMC in Georgia.

Thus, the Georgian authorities cut off the direct control of the SAMK"s livelihoods of the Muslims of Georgia and minimized the influence on them from Azerbaijan.

In May 2011, the SAMC strongly condemned the creation of the Muslims Office in Georgia. "The creation of this organization in Georgia is aimed at tearing off the Muslims living in this country from Azerbaijan," said Sheikh Allahshukur Pashazade.

In February 2016, Mirtagi Asadov, who heads the Supreme Religious Board of Muslims of Georgia, announced the opening of the Imam Ali University in Georgia. He told the Iranian news agency Arannews that the university received official permits, Islam will be taught in it, and graduates will be given certificates.

However, the university was never created, and the activity of the Supreme Board of Muslims of Georgia is limited in Georgian media only to this message. In the subsequent time period until today, this organization is not mentioned in the news. The Muslim Board of Georgia is mentioned by a more active organization participating in public events in Georgia.

It is possible that the arrest of Asadov was caused by the fact that in Baku, as well as in Tbilisi, the activities of the Supreme Religious Board of Muslims of Georgia are regarded as undesirable. -02D-