A criminal case has been opened in Adygea against an imam who used the “Book of Monotheism” in his sermons.

Against the imam of the city of Adygeysk, Nedzhmedin Abazi, a criminal case was initiated under Art. 282 part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Inciting ethnic and religious hatred). According to the Assistant Prosecutor of the Republic of Adygea Vasily Guk, in his sermons the imam relied on the Book of Monotheism, which was recognized as extremist by the decision of the Moscow Savelovsky Court. A written undertaking not to leave was taken from N.Abaziya.

The case of the imam was discussed during a round table on freedom of conscience, held in Krasnodar on April 17-18. Lawyer Najmuddin Abazi said that the imam was removed from his post under the influence of local authorities, who staged a "pseudo-council" of believers. Neither Abazi himself nor the Spiritual Administration of Muslims were notified of the fact of the removal. Thus, the removal of the imam was illegal, since only the assembly of the jamaat can do this.

The participants of the round table decided to prepare and distribute an open statement calling for an objective consideration of all the circumstances of the case and to stop illegal interference in the affairs of the community by the authorities of Adygeysk.

Sources

• Imam of Adygeysk accused of inciting ethnic and religious hatred // Yuga.ru. 2006. March 6.
• Imam of Adygeysk may be charged // IA REGNUM. 2006. April 19.