Azeri clerical body responds to protesters’ clashes with police
Azerbaijan’s State Committee on Religious Organizations has
responded to Saturday’s clashes between police officers and
demonstrators in Baku.
In a statement, it said that conducting a march from the Fuzuli Square to the Cemetery of Martyrs by a group of alleged believers to mark the date of Prophet Muhammad’s death was an unsuccessful plan by a group of people who have no bearing on religion and an unsuccessful attempt to provoke civil stand-off.
"Disrupting of order by a small group of people who fell under the clout of certain circles under the guise of religion and conducting harmful propaganda confusing public opinion is against the law. That unlawful action was therefore decisively thwarted by the law enforcement," the statement said.
It noted that citizens’ choice of religious faith is respected in Azerbaijan, but propagating the ideas of religious extremism and intolerance is inadmissible.
"The undermining attempts of forces trying to use religion for political ends and inciting people to radicalism cannot be allowed," the committee added.
About 15 protesters were detained during the clashes but later released.*
In a statement, it said that conducting a march from the Fuzuli Square to the Cemetery of Martyrs by a group of alleged believers to mark the date of Prophet Muhammad’s death was an unsuccessful plan by a group of people who have no bearing on religion and an unsuccessful attempt to provoke civil stand-off.
"Disrupting of order by a small group of people who fell under the clout of certain circles under the guise of religion and conducting harmful propaganda confusing public opinion is against the law. That unlawful action was therefore decisively thwarted by the law enforcement," the statement said.
It noted that citizens’ choice of religious faith is respected in Azerbaijan, but propagating the ideas of religious extremism and intolerance is inadmissible.
"The undermining attempts of forces trying to use religion for political ends and inciting people to radicalism cannot be allowed," the committee added.
About 15 protesters were detained during the clashes but later released.*
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