Azerbaijan expels foreign nationals involved in illegal religious activities

Azerbaijani authorities have expelled several foreign nationals engaged in unauthorised religious propaganda activities, in violation of the country’s legislation on religious freedom.

Joint operations by the State Security Service and the State Migration Service identified three foreigners — Shaikh Muhammad Hanif (born 1968), Kareem Bux (born 1981), and Channa Taj Muhammad (born 1968) — linked to a religious centre abroad, who were promoting non-traditional religious ideas within Azerbaijan. The individuals reportedly organised illegal, closed religious gatherings and rituals, Caliber.Az reports citing the authorities' joint statement. 

Investigations determined that their activities violated the Republic of Azerbaijan’s Law “On Freedom of Religious Belief.” Following the findings, their actions were halted, and under Article 79.1.2 of the Migration Code of Azerbaijan, the three foreign nationals were expelled from the country.

By Vugar Khalilov