Protest action held outside Caucasian Muslims Office in Baku

APA reports from the place that the protesters say district military officer Vugar (surname is not known), who was drunk, insulted the shop assistant in the Ahli-Beyt religious shop two days ago. The protest action brought together members of different religious organizations, including Haji Ilgar Ibrahimoglu, Head of Center for Defense of Religious Freedom.

"Two of them complained to me of their being warned against performing prayer and not attending the Turkish mosque in the village. Two days ago, I was informed that district militia officer of the village entered the Ahli-Beyt religious shop while being drunk and insulted the shop assistant Fatima. The militia officer beat and insulted a religious man in a caf?," he said.

Ibrahimoghlu also noted that several religious organizations, including the head of State Committee for Religious Organizations, Rafig Aliyev condemned the happening, "The district militia officer should be punished."

Protester Raig Hashimov said that four unidentified persons took him to unknown place by force March 21.

"They told me to name Persians who are funding us. I told them that I am religious and have no links with any organization. After that they released me. Law enforcement bodies banned me to go the mosque. This is a Turkish mosque. We talk only about religion there," he noted.

Police forces arrived in the site but they did not use any force. The protesters explained the reason why they are protesting outside the Office of Caucasian Muslims saying that they want Sheikulislam Haji Allahshukur Pashzadeh to express opinion on this issue and solve this problem.

In the end, two protesting religious men entered the Office and told expressed their complaints. The protesters dispersed after that. Some of them told that the situation is very serious in Mehdiabad, sectarian conflict between Sunnis and Shiites is planned. They say the happening is the result of this conflict in fact.

"This is the second protest action. The situation is intolerable in our village. This should be addressed as soon as possible," the protester said.

The Office of Caucasian Muslims told that the issue will be investigated and necessary action will be taken to solve the problem.