Activist Elshan Abbasov detained in Azerbaijan

Elshan Abbasov, a member of the "Muslim Unity" Movement (MUM), has been charged with drug dealing. Activists link Abbasov's persecution with his religious and enlightenment activities.

Elshan Abbasov was detained in the evening on March 3 in the city of Barda, not far from his workplace. Persons in civilian clothes took him away to some unknown place, MUM members told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"We are convinced that Elshan Abbasov's detention has to do with his religious and enlightenment activities; earlier, he was arrested and imprisoned twice for this," the MUM has stated.

Elkhan Abbasov, Elshan's brother, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that only this morning the family managed to find out where Elshan Abbasov was kept.

"Only this morning, the police confirmed that Elshan was taken to Baku to the main department for combating organized crime. We were told that Elshan is accused of a large-scale drug sealing. We are now trying to attract an advocate to defend Elshan's rights. My brother had been arrested earlier. The reason is that he is engaged in religious activities. Last time he was accused of using drugs. But he is a deeply religious person; he does not even smoke cigarettes," Elkhan Abbasov has stated.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 5, 2022 at 01:30 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.