BAKU (AA) – A prominent politician has been arrested in Azerbaijan for financial ties to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group blamed for the July 15 defeated coup in Turkey.
Faig Amirov, vice chair of the Azerbaijani Popular Front Party (APFP), was arrested Monday for a period of three months after an investigation by Azerbaijan's Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Amirov faces charges of violating citizens' rights in the name of religion as well as inciting national, racial, social, or religious hatred, said Azerbaijan's state security service.
Amirov's name appears on a list of FETO members (an "imams list") found by authorities, and police said he also had books and CDs of Fetullah Gulen, the leader of FETO.
The statement also said prosecutors have asked Turkey to follow up on the investigation to determine the financial ties of Azeri-based FETO members with their supporters in Turkey.
Ankara accuses Fetullah Gulen of masterminding the failed coup and has sent the U.S. two official requests for his extradition to face trial.
Gulen has lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. since 1999 and is also accused of leading FETO.
The coup attempt left 240 martyrs in its wake and nearly 2,200 others injured.