Azeri citizen given 2-year sentence for religious convictionsOctober 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. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. Armenian government besieged by protesters Protesters led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan poured into Yerevan’s Republic Square to try to surround the seat of Armenia’s government. Armenia, Russia agree on repairing railway destroyed in floods Yerevan and Moscow have agreed to repair a flood-stricken railway in northern Armenia. |