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Sardar Akif oglu Babayev
theologian, member of the Association of Spiritual Figures of Azerbaijan
Article 274 (High Treason, i.e., an act intentionally committed by a citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the detriment of the sovereignty,
territorial integrity, state security, or defense capability of the Republic of Azerbaijan; defection to the enemy; espionage; disclosure of state secrets to a foreign state; assistance to a foreign state, foreign organization, or their representatives in carrying out hostile activities against the Republic of Azerbaijan) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. On October 21, 2021, the Sabail District Court of Baku, after hearing the case in closed session, ordered the pretrial detention of Sardar Babayev for six months. The period of pretrial detention during the investigation was subsequently extended several times.
2021-10-19
Gobustan Closed Prison
Occupation:
Charges:
Arested:
Status:
49-year-old Sardar Babayev, also known as Sheikh Sardar Hajihasanli, is a very popular theologian, especially in southern Azerbaijan. His Friday sermons at the Masalli mosque were always attended by large crowds. He was convicted for this in February 2017.
After his release in February 2020, he founded the website maide.az, which published materials not only on religious matters but also on socio-political topics. When Azerbaijani-Iranian relations began to deteriorate in 2021 and detentions and arrests of Shia believers began, S. Babayev was one of the first to fall victim to the campaign. On October 19, 2021, State Security Service officers arrested him and four other members of the "Azerbaijani Clergy" public association on charges of treason and espionage for Iran.
S. Babayev denied the charges. As his lawyer, Javad Javadov, told reporters,
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"Sardar Babayev was accused of treason in the form of espionage for Iran. Even during the investigation, he stated that the charges were trumped-up and that he himself had become a victim of the deterioration of Azerbaijani-Iranian relations. In protest, Babayev refused to testify in court. His guilt was not proven in court by witness testimony or other evidence. He was convicted simply based on the subjective conclusions of investigators."
At the same time, the lawyer refrained from commenting on the charges in detail, as the trial was closed and the lawyer is under confidentiality obligations. He said the defense intends to appeal the verdict.
49-year-old Sardar Babayev, also known as Sheikh Sardar Hajihasanli, is a very popular theologian, especially in southern Azerbaijan. His Friday sermons at the Masalli mosque were always attended by large crowds. He was convicted for this in February 2017.
After his release in February 2020, he founded the website maide.az, which published materials not only on religious matters but also on socio-political topics. When Azerbaijani-Iranian relations began to deteriorate in 2021 and detentions and arrests of Shia believers began, S. Babayev was one of the first to fall victim to the campaign. On October 19, 2021, State Security Service officers arrested him and four other members of the "Azerbaijani Clergy" public association on charges of treason and espionage for Iran.
S. Babayev denied the charges. As his lawyer, Javad Javadov, told reporters, "Sardar Babayev was accused of treason in the form of espionage for Iran. Even during the investigation, he stated that the charges were trumped-up and that he himself had become a victim of the deterioration of Azerbaijani-Iranian relations. In protest, Babayev refused to testify in court. His guilt was not proven in court by witness testimony or other evidence. He was convicted simply based on the subjective conclusions of investigators."
At the same time, the lawyer refrained from commenting on the charges in detail, as the trial was closed and the lawyer is under confidentiality obligations. He said the defense intends to appeal the verdict.
49-year-old Sardar Babayev, also known as Sheikh Sardar Hajihasanli, is a very popular theologian, especially in southern Azerbaijan. His Friday sermons at the Masalli mosque were always attended by large crowds. He was convicted for this in February 2017.
After his release in February 2020, he founded the website maide.az, which published materials not only on religious matters but also on socio-political topics. When Azerbaijani-Iranian relations began to deteriorate in 2021 and detentions and arrests of Shia believers began, S. Babayev was one of the first to fall victim to the campaign. On October 19, 2021, State Security Service officers arrested him and four other members of the "Azerbaijani Clergy" public association on charges of treason and espionage for Iran.
S. Babayev denied the charges. As his lawyer, Javad Javadov, told reporters,
98
"Sardar Babayev was accused of treason in the form of espionage for Iran. Even during the investigation, he stated that the charges were trumped-up and that he himself had become a victim of the deterioration of Azerbaijani-Iranian relations. In protest, Babayev refused to testify in court. His guilt was not proven in court by witness testimony or other evidence. He was convicted simply based on the subjective conclusions of investigators."
At the same time, the lawyer refrained from commenting on the charges in detail, as the trial was closed and the lawyer is under confidentiality obligations. He said the defense intends to appeal the verdict.
49-year-old Sardar Babayev, also known as Sheikh Sardar Hajihasanli, is a very popular theologian, especially in southern Azerbaijan. His Friday sermons at the Masalli mosque were always attended by large crowds. He was convicted for this in February 2017.
After his release in February 2020, he founded the website maide.az, which published materials not only on religious matters but also on socio-political topics. When Azerbaijani-Iranian relations began to deteriorate in 2021 and detentions and arrests of Shia believers began, S. Babayev was one of the first to fall victim to the campaign. On October 19, 2021, State Security Service officers arrested him and four other members of the "Azerbaijani Clergy" public association on charges of treason and espionage for Iran.
S. Babayev denied the charges. As his lawyer, Javad Javadov, told reporters, "Sardar Babayev was accused of treason in the form of espionage for Iran. Even during the investigation, he stated that the charges were trumped-up and that he himself had become a victim of the deterioration of Azerbaijani-Iranian relations. In protest, Babayev refused to testify in court. His guilt was not proven in court by witness testimony or other evidence. He was convicted simply based on the subjective conclusions of investigators."
At the same time, the lawyer refrained from commenting on the charges in detail, as the trial was closed and the lawyer is under confidentiality obligations. He said the defense intends to appeal the verdict.
Sardar Akif oglu Babayev
theologian, member of the Association of Spiritual Figures of Azerbaijan
Article 274 (High Treason, i.e., an act intentionally committed by a citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the detriment of the sovereignty,
territorial integrity, state security, or defense capability of the Republic of Azerbaijan; defection to the enemy; espionage; disclosure of state secrets to a foreign state; assistance to a foreign state, foreign organization, or their representatives in carrying out hostile activities against the Republic of Azerbaijan) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. On October 21, 2021, the Sabail District Court of Baku, after hearing the case in closed session, ordered the pretrial detention of Sardar Babayev for six months. The period of pretrial detention during the investigation was subsequently extended several times.
2021-10-19
Gobustan Closed Prison
Occupation:
Charges:
Arested:
Status:
49-year-old Sardar Babayev, also known as Sheikh Sardar Hajihasanli, is a very popular theologian, especially in southern Azerbaijan. His Friday sermons at the Masalli mosque were always attended by large crowds. He was convicted for this in February 2017.
After his release in February 2020, he founded the website maide.az, which published materials not only on religious matters but also on socio-political topics. When Azerbaijani-Iranian relations began to deteriorate in 2021 and detentions and arrests of Shia believers began, S. Babayev was one of the first to fall victim to the campaign. On October 19, 2021, State Security Service officers arrested him and four other members of the "Azerbaijani Clergy" public association on charges of treason and espionage for Iran.
S. Babayev denied the charges. As his lawyer, Javad Javadov, told reporters,
98
"Sardar Babayev was accused of treason in the form of espionage for Iran. Even during the investigation, he stated that the charges were trumped-up and that he himself had become a victim of the deterioration of Azerbaijani-Iranian relations. In protest, Babayev refused to testify in court. His guilt was not proven in court by witness testimony or other evidence. He was convicted simply based on the subjective conclusions of investigators."
At the same time, the lawyer refrained from commenting on the charges in detail, as the trial was closed and the lawyer is under confidentiality obligations. He said the defense intends to appeal the verdict.
49-year-old Sardar Babayev, also known as Sheikh Sardar Hajihasanli, is a very popular theologian, especially in southern Azerbaijan. His Friday sermons at the Masalli mosque were always attended by large crowds. He was convicted for this in February 2017.
After his release in February 2020, he founded the website maide.az, which published materials not only on religious matters but also on socio-political topics. When Azerbaijani-Iranian relations began to deteriorate in 2021 and detentions and arrests of Shia believers began, S. Babayev was one of the first to fall victim to the campaign. On October 19, 2021, State Security Service officers arrested him and four other members of the "Azerbaijani Clergy" public association on charges of treason and espionage for Iran.
S. Babayev denied the charges. As his lawyer, Javad Javadov, told reporters, "Sardar Babayev was accused of treason in the form of espionage for Iran. Even during the investigation, he stated that the charges were trumped-up and that he himself had become a victim of the deterioration of Azerbaijani-Iranian relations. In protest, Babayev refused to testify in court. His guilt was not proven in court by witness testimony or other evidence. He was convicted simply based on the subjective conclusions of investigators."
At the same time, the lawyer refrained from commenting on the charges in detail, as the trial was closed and the lawyer is under confidentiality obligations. He said the defense intends to appeal the verdict.