26 May 2014, 18:29
Azerbaijan: Anar Mamedli sentenced to 5.5 years in prison
On May 26, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes sentenced Anar Mamedli, the head of the Centre for Election Monitoring and Democracy Training (CEM&DT), to 5.5 years in prison; and activists Bashir Suleimanly – to 3.5 years in prison, and Elnur Mamedov – also to 3.5 years, but conditionally with a probation period of 2 years, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.
Let us remind you that the case was opened on October 31, 2013. Anar Mamedli, Bashir Suleimanly, Director General of the CEM&DT, and Elnur Mamedov, the head of the Public Association for International Cooperation of Volunteers (PAICV), were charged with tax evasion, illegal entrepreneurship and abuse of office. The activists denied the charges, stating the case was politically motivated.
After the today's session, the defence said that it would appeal against the verdict. "If this unfair verdict is not cancelled in Azerbaijan, we intend to go as far as the Strasbourg Court," Elchin Sadygov, Mamedli's advocate, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
Author: Faik Medzhid Source: CK correspondent
