(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The Islamic Party of Azerbaijan (IPA) has refuted allegations leveled by the Azeri government against the party's leader, saying the accusations are baseless and politically motivated.
The party's leader Mohsun Samedov and several other members were arrested in early January after strongly criticizing an official ban on headscarves in schools and calling for the ouster of the government in Azerbaijan.
In early August, Samedov and the other IPA members went on trial in Baku's Court on charges of the illegal possession of weapons and attempting to seize power illegally.
The IPA's defense commission called on human rights organizations and other parties in Baku to act against the move, which it says is against political and press freedom, IRIB reported.
Since December 2010, Azerbaijani officials have been preventing Muslim schoolgirls who wear headscarves from attending schools.
Baku also bans Azeris from openly observing their religious rites.
The government's anti-religion agenda in Azerbaijan has caused an uproar in the predominantly Muslim nation.
Azerbaijanis want the government to respect religious values and prevent the country from falling into a crisis.
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9 August 2011 - 19:30
News ID: 258693
The Islamic Party of Azerbaijan (IPA) has refuted allegations leveled by the Azeri government against the party's leader, saying the accusations are baseless and politically motivated.
