On August 12th, 2016, the Attorney General’s office of Azerbaijan launched a criminal investigation in tandem with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Security Service to look into and ‘prevent’ the spread and strengthening of the ‘Hizmet (Service) Movement’, which is led by Fethullah Gulen. The movement has been accused of creating social and religious hatred and enmity, and impeding upon the rights of citizens.
Fethullah Gulen supporters are being targeted in Turkey and Azerbaijan in the aftermath of the failed, military coup d’état in Istanbul of July. Gulen, who currently resides in the United States and who has thus far not been subject to extradition to Turkey, has been accused by the Turkish government of creating a ‘paralell state within a state’, and subverting the governing order.
In Azerbaijan, numerous institutions connected to Gulen have been shut down, including ANS TV Channel, Zaman Newspaper and Qafqaz University, to name a few.
Fuad Ahmadli, who worked as an operator for Azerfon and who was also the chairman of Khatai District Youth Organization of the Azerbaijani National Front Party (ANFP), has also been targeted. His house was recently searched by the State Security Sevice, and he was charged with abuse of power. During the search of his home, documents pertaining to Gulen’s Hizmet Movement were allegedly found.
Experts of the State Committee on Work With Religious Entities have produced a report claiming that these documents contain content promoting social and religious discord, and insults the national pride.
Fuad Ahmadli is one of the first individuals to be targeted by the ongoing investigation.
Other members affected by the case include ANFP member and assistant to the party chairman, Faiq Amirov. He has been accused of abusing his position as the financial director of ‘Azadliq’ (Freedom) newspaper, and of promoting ‘fathullahism.’
His car was subjected to a police search, during which three books were discovered that deal with Gulen – related topics, and required special permission for import. 8 discs with Gulen’s speeches and two plastic bags full of Azadliq Newspaper’s invoices were also found during the search.
Faig Amirov has been charged with provisions 168.1 (violating citizens’ rights by abusing religious dogmas) and 283.2.2 (creating national, racial, social or religious hatred and enmity by abusing one’s position) of the Criminal Code, and has been placed in detention as a preventetive measure by the court.
A petition has been submitted to the Attorney General of Turkey, requesting the launching of investigative activites into Azerbaijanis residing in Turkey who have relationships with the Hizmet Movement.
