ECtHR gives Azeri authorities three months to answer Babaev's complaint

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has opened communication on the case of the Azerbaijani theologian Sardar Babaev, his advocate has stated today.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 13, 2018, the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan denied the cassation on the verdict to the theologian Sardar Babaev, who was sentenced to three years in prison for breaking the rules of holding religious ceremonies. Now, the verdict will be appealed against at the ECtHR, the theologian's defence has stated.

According to law enforcers, Babaev illegally read sermons and directed the Friday namaz (prayer) in the mosque of the city of Masally, since these activities forbidden for the clergymen, trained abroad; and Babaev received his religious education in Iran. Javad Javadov, Babaev's advocate, is sure that the article, under which his client was convicted, is contrary to Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which guarantees the freedom of conscience and religion.

On September 24, Babaev's defence received a notification from the ECtHR about the start of communication on his case, Mr Javadov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent today, adding that the Azerbaijani government should respond within three months to ECtHR's questions.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 25, 2018 at 02:09 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.