Muslim Imam Ilgar Ibragimoglu, secretary-general of the International Religious Liberty Association's (IRLA) affiliate organization in Azerbaijan, is spending three months in jail pending a trial on charges of organizing public demonstrations, though he c
Muslim Imam Ilgar Ibragimoglu, secretary-general of the International Religious Liberty Association’s (IRLA) affiliate organization in Azerbaijan, is spending three months in jail pending a trial on charges of organizing public demonstrations, though he claims innocence of the charges.
Ibragimoglu, who visited IRLA headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, in June this year, was a supporter of an opposition candidate during recent presidential elections in Azerbaijan, a central Asian republic that was formerly part of the Soviet Union. During an Oct. 17 police raid on the Juma mosque where Ibragimoglu worked, he took refuge in the Norwegian embassy. On Dec. 1, the imam was ordered in for questioning by police, after which he was detained. An arraignment hearing resulted in his confinement pending a formal trial.
“The criminal investigators were given proof that Ibragimoglu had not taken part in any public disorder and clashes with the police,” Seymur Rashidov, a spokesman for Ibragimoglu’s religious rights group Devamm, told the Forum 18 News Service on Dec. 3. “All he did was monitor the post-election situation.”
According to Dr. John Graz, secretary-general of the IRLA, the imprisonment of Ibragimoglu is a serious matter.
“We are very concerned about the fact that someone who is dedicated to promoting and defending religious freedom has been detained without apparent cause,” Dr. Graz told ANN. “We hope the justice system of Azerbaijan will follow the principles of human rights according to the international documents and agreements” including those of the United Nations, of which Azerbaijan is a member.
The Baku office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is closely monitoring Ibragimoglu’s case. “We know [him] as a participant in several OSCE events and conferences and as a human rights defender,” human dimension officer Branislav Solovic told the Forum 18 News Service on Dec. 4. “That’s why we are watching his case closely.”
Dr. Graz said the IRLA will watch closely as well. During a coming visit to Moscow, he will meet with IRLA regional director Victor P. Krushenitsky, to discuss developments in Ibragimoglu’s case.
“We are trying to do our best to ensure fair treatment and justice for him,” Dr. Graz said.
The IRLA, chartered in 1893, was first organized in the United States by members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is non-sectarian and promotes principles of religious freedom for all people everywhere.
Bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, Azerbaijan’s population of more than 7 million consists of only 3 percent claiming affiliation with a Christian church. Azerbaijan’s constitution upholds the right of all people to choose and practice their religion.
