Azeri citizen given 2-year sentence for religious convictions

October 20, 2007 - 20:22 AMT
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.
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