E/CN.4/2001/0063 page 5 members enjoy the same rights as others and are subject to the same obligations. As to reports of the closing of an Ismaili mosque, Saudi Arabia said that that allegation was groundless and inaccurate; Ismaili mosques are still open and Ismailis may go about their business freely and unhindered. 10. According to a second communication, George Joseph, an Indian Christian was arrested on 25 June 2000 in Riyadh and placed in a detention centre; he is reportedly liable to deportation for possession of a video about a Christian meeting in Saudi Arabia. On 27 August 2000 another Indian, Joseph Vergis, also a Christian, was allegedly arrested in Riyadh for possession of a cassette bearing the inscription Jesus. 11. Saudi Arabia replied that George Joseph had been arrested for having engaged in activities that created a disturbance and in response to complaints from persons living in his neighbourhood. Mr. Joseph was allegedly distributing a video that was illegal, being contrary to the values and rules in force in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, in his deposition, Mr. Joseph admitted to having engaged in that illegal activity. It also became clear during the trial that Mr. Joseph had not come to Saudi Arabia for purposes of employment, but for purposes that were contrary to the regulations and laws in force in the country. Mr. Joseph was tried and sentenced to leave the country, and the judgement was immediately enforced. As for Joseph Vergis, Saudi Arabia has no available information, given that his name does not appear in security service records. Relevant information will be transmitted to the Special Rapporteur once it is obtained by the competent Saudi authorities. 12. The Special Rapporteur urges Saudi Arabia to provide him with more specific information concerning the activities of which George Joseph was accused and the values and regulations that he is alleged to have violated. Azerbaijan 13. Following their dismissal in 1999 by the management of Azerbaijan Qaz Emali Zavodu, a gas refinery, because of their beliefs (see E/CN.4/2000/65, para. 14), a group of Jehovah’s Witnesses reportedly filed a complaint with the Prosecutor’s Office. The Azerbaijani trade union of oil and gas industry workers is said to have replied that those employees had spread the beliefs of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, who were operating illegally in Azerbaijan. It was reportedly decided, therefore, that those actions were unconstitutional and would be legally punished by dismissal. The company also filed a complaint on grounds of illegal religious activity, and an administrative committee is said to have decided in favour of the claim; the committee declared the employees guilty of proselytism and of holding illegal religious meetings, and it reportedly ordered them to pay a fine. The newspaper Ganjlik published an article on the dismissals and is said to have mentioned the names of the employees and to have called them “dogs”, “predators” and “slaves of enemy forces” with “poisoned minds” who ought to be “thrown out of Azerbaijan”. 14. In September 1999, the authorities allegedly decided to expel nine members of the Baptist congregation. The Prosecutor’s Office is said to have submitted a report supporting that decision.