BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — An opposition politician in Azerbaijan has been arrested on charges related to last month's failed coup in Turkey.

A court in Azerbaijan's capital ruled Monday to place Faig Amirov, a leading member of the Popular Front of Azerbaijan opposition party, under arrest for three months on charges of inciting religious hatred.

Police said that Amirov had books by U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom the Turkish government has accused of masterminding the July 15 botched coup. Gulen denies involvement.

Amirov's lawyer, Aqil Lahicev, rejected the charges as "absurd," saying that Gulen's books don't contain any propaganda of hatred and haven't been banned in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan, a Turkic nation, shares strong ties with Turkey. It has voiced a strong support for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan following the failed coup.