Islamic Party Leader Jailed in Azerbaijan Republic

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - A court in Baku, capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan, sentenced Movsum Samadov, leader of the country’s Islamic Party, to 12 years of imprisonment.

 This is in line with the anti-Islamic policies of the government of the Azerbaijan Republic, apa website reports.

 The court, which held its last session yesterday, October 7, also handed down 10 to 12 year prison sentences to five other members of the party.

 They had been arrested last winter on charges of attempting to overthrow the government.

 While the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan is under criticism for its anti-religious moves such as imposing a ban on Hijab in schools, some officials in the government try to accuse those who oppose the anti-religious measures of having links with other countries.

 Mais Gul Aliev, leader of Azerbaijan Green Party had previously condemned the arrest of Islamic Party Leader saying it runs counter to democracy. He also said the arrest was a new phase in spread of Islamophobia in the country.

Around 98 percent of Azerbaijan's nearly 9 million population is Muslim. The government under President Ilham Aliyev is strictly secular and has close relations with the West.

A ban on Islamic dress code is not included in Azerbaijan's constitution.

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