Hawzah News Agency - Shia cleric Tale' Baqirzadeh, the leader of the Movement for Muslim Unity (MMU), and 17 other defendants are accused of plotting to overthrow the Azerbaijani government, but human rights activists say they are prisoners of conscience. 

They have been on trial at Baku’s Court for Serious Crimes on baseless charges of premeditated murder, terrorism, organizing mass unrest, illegal possession of weapons, creating armed formations, inciting religious hatred, using force against officials with the aim of overthrowing the government and seizing power. 

They were arrested last year after Azerbaijani forces carried out a raid on a gathering of Shia Muslims in the eastern town of Nardaran. 

The attack took place in late 2015 as Shias had gathered for a religious ceremony to mark Arbaeen, the 40th day since the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shia Imam, and his followers in the Battle of Karbala. 

Following the raid, in which four people were killed by security forces, the town’s Shia residents staged a number of demonstrations. 

The government of Azerbaijan has been carrying out a crackdown on Shia Muslims in the country for a long time.