UPDATE - August 23, 2024 The two members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Azerbaijan, who were detained for peacefully distributing flyers, have now been released. Their arrest sparked significant concern, as the authorities reportedly subjected them to harsh treatment during their detention. The detainees were then brutally beaten, with one of them, Rustem, suffering broken teeth. They described further abuse, including being sexually harrassed and assaulted.
The detainees revealed that the authorities were initially planning to charge them with more severe offenses. However, the arrival of their lawyer, along with prominent Azerbaijani human rights activist Leila Yunus at the court, caused the police to reconsider. Instead of facing harsher charges, the detainees were sentenced to 30 days of imprisonment.
UPDATE - August 8, 2024 The investigation in Azerbaijan extends now to all active Azeri members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. Azeri authorities have reportedly reached out to the fathers and uncles of several individuals associated with the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, including Anar Alakbarov, Afsana Ahmadova, and Ashur Badalov. These relatives were contacted by representatives of the executive powers in various districts, including Kurdamir, Sharur, Agstafa, and Guba. The inquiries focused on the whereabouts and activities of their children, with the families responding that the individuals were currently abroad. When pressed for the reasons behind these inquiries, officials stated that the information was requested by the police but did not provide any further details.
UPDATE - August 6, 2024 In a show of solidarity, Azeri refugees in Poland gathered today to protest the recent detention of Rustam Gasimli and Neriman Shabanzade. The peaceful demonstration took place outside the Azerbaijani Embassy in Warsaw, where protesters held signs demanding the release of their fellow believers and calling for greater religious freedom in Azerbaijan. The rally aimed to draw international attention to the plight of the detained missionaries, two of whom were recently sentenced to 30 days in prison for "hooliganism" and "disobedience to a police officer". The protesters in Poland hope their actions will highlight ongoing human rights abuses and pressure Azerbaijani authorities to respect freedom of expression and religious practice.
UPDATE - July 31st, 2024
Zibeyda Sadigova's appeal against the 30-day prison sentence for Rustam Gasimli and Neriman Shabanzade has been rejected by the court. In response, she suggested escalating the matter to the European Court of Human Rights.
Meanwhile, several members of AROPL in Germany have gathered in front of the Azerbaijani embassy in Berlin to protest the arrests. The demonstration reflects growing international concern over the treatment of the detained members.
UPDATE - Baku, July 24, 2024
After 24 hours of enforced disappearance, Rustam Gasimli and Neriman Shabanzade resurfaced at the Sabail District Court this evening, where they were sentenced to a minimum of 30 days in prison for "hooliganism" and "disobedience to a police officer". The two were initially detained for distributing flyers in Baku.
Zibeyda Sadigova, a prominent human rights lawyer affiliated with the European Human Rights Advocacy Center, has taken on their defense. Sadıgova reports that both individuals suffered beatings and severe abuse while in detention. She plans to appeal the court's decision, which she views as a blatant attempt to intimidate members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light.
The two were charged with article 510 and article 535.1 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. Article 510 is charging them with "hooliganism" —an accusation that is outrageous, given that the activists were peacefully distributing flyers and the whole event was documented live on TikTok. The case has raised significant concerns about the state of human rights and freedom of expression in Azerbaijan.
UPDATE - Baku, July 23, 2024
The believers detained on July 20 have now been released. Yet, the State Committee on Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan has now been involved in the matter and the members are still under investigation.
Two members, Rustam Gasimli and Neriman Shabanzade, peacefully distributed flyers to pedestrians at 5pm Baku Time at Fountain Sqare. They were approached and detained by three police officers, who confiscated their phones and arrested them. They are currently unreachable. Their missionary activities were broadcast live on TikTok.
UPDATE - Baku, July 22, 2024
Following inquiries with the defense lawyer, it has been confirmed that the detainees are facing charges under Article 515 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code (Violation of the rules for the establishment and operation of religious organizations).
The detainees reported that the Azerbaijani interrogators threatened them with rape should they continue to speak about religion. The authorities appeared particularly agitated by the media attention the incident attracted, focusing their investigation on those involved in filming and posting the event online.
Additionally, the AROPL has received alarming reports that undercover police officers, posing as representatives from Human Rights Watch, have been contacting Azeri members of the faith after the incident. This tactic appears to be an effort to gather more information about the gatherings of AROPL members in Azerbaijan.
Baku, Azerbaijan - On July 20, 2024, a group of 11 Azeri members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light conducted a missionary activity in Fountain Square, Baku. The individuals involved were the Azeri citizens Jalal Hajiyev, Ramil Ahmadov, Tural Veliyev, Ali Yasar Jafarov, Nijat Gahramanov, Rustam Gasimli, Fegan Rahimov, Kamil Qafarli, Taleh İmanov Ali Oglu, Elnur Mammadov, and Neriman Shabanzade.
The group held up images of their religious leaders and preached about the tenets of their faith peacefully. They announced the appearance of Imam Mahdi as well as the Supremacy of God. Within ten minutes, they were surrounded by 11 police officers and military personnel. The authorities informed the group that their activities were disturbing passersby.
Despite this, the missionaries continued their efforts, leading to the arbitary detention of 11 members after an additional ten minutes. The detained members were forcefully taken to police vehicles while still holding the images of their religious leaders. The incident was captured on video by a bystander and sympathizer, Behruz Cebrailov and is currently circulating on social media.
The 11 members are currently detained at Sabayil District Police Department No. 9 in Baku. They are held for "resisting police" (Article 315 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code) and "disturbing public order" (Article 233 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code), which are articles that are typically used in Azerbaijan against dissidents and those with unconventional opinions. The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light strongly condemns this violation of their right to manifest their faith.
According to human rights organizations, Azerbaijan regularly detains dissidents, highlighting ongoing concerns about the country's commitment to human rights and freedom of expression.
Info: Missionary work is a cornerstone of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, with proclaiming the glad tidings of a savior being a fundamental aspect of their practice. However, the state of Azerbaijan is actively preventing members of the AROPL from practicing their faith, compelling them to either conceal their religious beliefs or face imprisonment. |
“I ask that you organize yourselves and prepare to march openly on your streets, declaring your faith publicly, and proudly, no matter what the cost is my brothers and sisters. No matter what the cost. March forward and demand freedom for your brothers and sisters and for yourselves. March forward and let the world know your faith.” — Aba Al-Sadiq (2023)
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