Reports link Azeri cleric to child sex abuse
BAKU - Media reports have recently circulated that a cleric allegedly committed indecent actions with an underage girl in his mosque and that video footage of these actions has been posted on the internet.
The Prosecutor-General’s Office has said in a statement that it had ordered to urgently investigate the circumstances of the case.
The Caucasus Muslims Office (CCO) has responded to the reports, which claimed the cleric in the town of Goychay, Asgar Babayev, had sex with a girl in the shrine. It said that the allegations that Babayev is the Akhund (senior cleric) of the Goychay mosque had no merit and that he merely aims to become a community leader at the mosque. However, his candidacy for chairmanship has been declined by the State Committee on Religious Organizations and his documents were returned.
The CCO also said that Babayev earlier sought to become an Akhund but could not receive the appointment as he was unable to pass CCO attestation.
Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.
Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.
By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.
You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper
Thank you!