United States Helsinki Commission Chairman Representative Christopher Smith (R-NJ) has criticized the 11 August ruling by the Azerbaijani Supreme Court upholding the eviction of worshippers from the Djuma Mosque. The U.S. official expressed concern over the continuing harassment of mosque members by the authorities and added that \"the actions of the Azerbaijani government are shameful and demonstrate real contempt for international human rights norms and OSCE commitments.\" Smith called on the Azerbaijani government to \"end this embarrassment, return full control of the mosque to the community, and allow them to operate freely.\" He further denounced \"Soviet-like actions by the authorities -- harassing and detaining community members and imposing a state-appointed imam at the mosque.\" The 100-year-old Djuma Mosque is seen by the Azerbaijani authorities as a center for Islamic extremists and closed it down last month. Members of the mosque have filed an appeal to the Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights protesting their eviction. (Turan)