Azerbaijani authorities allegedly coerced Shia women with threats of rape during their apprehension.

In a series of recent incidents, human rights defenders and media outlets have reported allegations of police misconduct during the arrests of Shia women in Azerbaijan.

According to reports by Meydan TV and Ar-Rad Info, on August 15, three women were detained in the village of Bina while distributing alms in commemoration of Arba'in. The women were subsequently remanded to three months of pre-trial detention on charges of robbery committed by a group by prior conspiracy. However, concerns have been raised about the legitimacy of these charges, with some suggesting they are intended to intimidate Shia Muslims in Azerbaijan.

One of the women, Nigar Baghirova, claimed that police officers forcibly removed her hijab during the arrest. Baghirova also stated that her house was raided after her arrest, and that the lights in her house were turned off, and printed materials and a flash drive were confiscated during the raid. Baghirova told Meydan TV that the police attacked and abused her, and threatened to strip and rape her.

Another woman, Shahla Farajova, protested the planting of evidence during a raid on her home, shouting to the police, "I don't have a book of magic at home, you planted it on purpose." During the raid, about 20 police officers, including people in black masks and an investigator named Anar, participated in the search. A card with the inscription 'Ya Hussein' was found in Farajova's closet, and a thick book with a white cover was discovered among her books.

Human rights defender Arzu Abdulla Gulzaman believes these arrests are intended to intimidate Shia Muslims in Azerbaijan. Gulzaman also stated that police violence against detained religious believers, including the removal of hijabs, has occurred previously. Gulzaman also mentioned a case where religious men were threatened by police with bringing their wives to the police station and forcing them to remove their hijabs if they refused to sign false confessions.

Meydan TV also reported that police threatened to strip and rape six Shia women who were detained for allegedly protesting. There is no available information in the provided search results about the specific individuals forced to sign confessions related to the arrest of Shia women in Azerbaijan on suspicion of drug possession.

These allegations of police misconduct have sparked concerns about the treatment of religious minorities in Azerbaijan and the need for an independent investigation into these incidents. It is crucial that the rule of law is upheld, and that all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their religious beliefs.

Azerbaijani authorities allegedly coerced Shia women with threats of rape during their apprehension.