Sheikh Sardar Hajjihasanli

Sheikh Sardar Hajjihasanli or Sardar Akif oglu Babayev is an Azerbaijani cleric, religious figure, member of the Azerbaijani Cleric Association,

Brought up in one of Masally's noble families, Sardar went to school at the age of seven and during the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics got secondary education at the Masally District school. to promote the teachings of Ahlulbayt and the Quran with the help of a group of scholars, professors and students of the Seminary. He was arrested upon the complain of Rafil Huseynov, the head of the executive power of Masally, and was charged with violation of the requirements of holding religious propaganda and carrying out religious ceremonies under the article 168.1.3 of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic. Finally, he was sentenced to 3 years in prison on July 3, 2017.

Sheikh Sardar's lawyers made an appeal at the court in July 2017 in Baku. According to the appeal of Javad Javadov, one of Sheikh Sardar's lawyers, we demand the acquittal of Sheikh Sardar because of the lack of any crime in his actions. "At the same time, we are considering the protocol and will voice our remarks this week," Javadov added. The Court of Appeal of Shirvan city reviewed the Masally court's verdict on extension of the period of Sheikh Sardar's detention on April 6, 2017.

Lawyer Javadov said that people voiced their protests to the police by blocking the way to the court. He said: "The police again tried to prevent me to enter the court building, but they changed their decision after they understood that the trial would not start without the lawyer." During the trial the court upheld the verdict and decided to keep Sheikh Sardar Babayev in custody.

A hearing was held at the Supreme Court on February 13, 2018 to consider an appeal against the arrest of Sheikh Sardar Hajjihasanli (Babayev). The trial was held by Judge Gulzar Rzayeva, with participation of Sheikh Sardar Hajjihasanli, his lawyer, Javad Javadov, as well as media representatives, political and social figures. None of the petitions filed by the lawyer was accepted by the court. In the court, Sheikh Sardar called himself innocent, and claimed that he was arrested illegally, and said: “None of the truthful petitions filed by lawyers from the day of detention until today was granted at all courts,” Sheikh Sardar said. “I have been told that I have been arrested for holding Friday Prayer and giving Sermons,” Sheikh Sardar said. “As during the previous trials, I don’t expect anything from this trial, because I don’t understand the reason of my detention,” he said. “Sometimes they say that I am charged with holding Friday prayer, giving sermons or studying abroad," he said. "Maybe I wouldn't be arrested if I had given sermons propagandizing idolatry or immorality!" Hajjihasanlı emphasized that investigation and trials were not held in accordance with the legal requirements. "Just imagine, the testimony of the witnesses in the court and during the investigation differ," he said. "The judge not only does not pay attention to the testimony and statements of the witnesses, but ask them leading questions." The judge interrupted Sheikh Sardar's speech and, after consultation, upheld the verdict of the Court of Appeal of Shirvan city.

The European Court of Human Rights has begun to hear a lawsuit by Sheikh Sardar Hajjihasanli in September 2018. The court has begun the communication process. The court raised questions to the Azerbaijani government about the violations of the European Convention on Human Rights in connection with Sheikh Sardar's case. The European Court of Human Rights, referring to the violations of Articles of European Convention on Human Rights (Prohibition of Torture), 5.1, 5.3 and 5.4 (right to liberty and immunity), 6.2 (the principle of exclusion), 9 (freedom of thought, conscience and religion), 10 (freedom of speech) 11 (right to freedom of assemblies and associations), 14 (prevention of discrimination) called on the Azerbaijani government to explain this issue.

The Azerbaijani clerics, the Union of the Azerbaijani Clerics, the Union of Writers Ghalam, the Islamic Party of Azerbaijan, the Center for the Protection of Freedom in Religion and Conscience (DEVAMM), the World Assembly of the Ahlulbayt (AS), Azerbaijani social figures, and other organizations and individuals condemned Sheikh Sardar's arrest, and declared the court verdict unlawful.

Released in February 2020.

Sheikh Sardar Hajihasanli was detained by the State Security Service (SSS) officers on October 19, 2021. On October 21 he was accused under Clause 274 of the Criminal Code - "High Treason" and Sabail District Court adjudged him to six months of imprisonment. He did not admit his guilt. Same year, on October 27 court proceedings of the appeal against his arrest decision were held. As per the decision of the Baku Court of Appeal the appeal claim was not satisfied.

On April 14, 2022, by the decision of the Sabail District Court, the period of detention of theologian Sardar Babayev (Hajigasanli) during the investigation period was extended for another 5 months, until September 19, 2022.

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