Abgyul Suleymanov, head of religious community "Jafari Heyat", convicted in Azerbaijan

On August 10, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes, chaired by Judge Mail Bayramov, finalized the trial on the case of Abgyul Suleymanov, the head of the religious community "Jafari Heyat" (Jafari Members). The court sentenced him to 11 years in prison.

Abgyul Nemat oglu Suleymanov and Jakhangir oglu Bayramov, the editor of the website İslamazeri.az Ramin, were detained on August 12, 2011. Arif Gyulsuvar oglu Ganiev was detained along with them. They were accused of "hostile activities against Azerbaijan, helping a foreign state and its representatives, and inciting citizens to riot, breach of public security and disobedience." The detainees, according to their lawyers, refute the charges. On October 8, 2011, the court extended the investigation on Suleymanov's case till the start of 2012.

The prosecutor asked the court to appoint punishment of 12 years in prison.

Suleymanov denied all the charges and stated his complete innocence, as his advocate Anar Gasymov said in his interview to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. Suleymanov believes that he is persecuted for political reasons for expressing his religious beliefs.

"I regard the sentence to Abgyul Suleymanov as a funeral of justice," said Gasymov and announced his intention to lodge an appeal.

The religious community "Jafari Heyat" is little known to broad public and media of Azerbaijan. Its members profess Jafarism – one of the trends of Shi'ism.