BAKU, Azerbaijan – The banned Islamic Party in Azerbaijan says its leader and three party members have been arrested.

They were taken into custody after party leader Mohsun Samedov harshly criticized a ban on headscarves in schools and tried to mobilize opposition to the secular government.

The government of Azerbaijan, an oil-rich former Soviet republic on the Caspian Sea, has been determined to prevent an Islamic revival and is wary of efforts by neighbouring Iran to extend its influence.

Islamic Party spokesman Akif Heydarli said Saturday that Samedov and the three others were arrested the night before as they left the party’s office.

He said Samedov was being held by the National Security Ministry. A spokesman for the ministry said he had no information about the arrests.

source : winnipegfreepress.com