AZERI CITIZEN GIVEN 2-YEAR SENTENCE FOR RELIGIOUS CONVICTIONS

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.10.2007 19:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A resident of Aliabad village in Azerbaijan, Zaur
Balayev, detained May 20, 2007 under accusation of membership in a
Christian Baptist organization, was sentenced to 2 years in prison.

Balayev’s family members said he was arrested for religious
convictions.

"We live in a country where religious tolerance and liberty of
conscience are established. Our state legislation allows citizens to
practice any religion and propagandize it. Alas, Zaur was arrested
for religious convictions. Later he was charged of resisting police
and sentenced to 2 years in prison," they said.

"The Court of Appeal upheld the verdict and we are going to address
the head of state," they said.

It’s worth noting that presently some 80 Baptists live in Aliabad
village, APA reports.