Banned Islamic Party: Azerbaijan arrests leader

The leader of the banned Islamic Party of Azerbaijan was arrested after harshly criticizing a ban on headscarves in schools and calling for the ouster of the government, a party spokesman said Saturday.

Azerbaijan, an oil-rich former Soviet republic on the Caspian Sea, has been wary of any spread of radical religious sentiment and wants to prevent neighboring Iran from extending its influence. Like Iranians, more than half of Azerbaijan's 9 million people are Shiites. (AP)