Three oppositionists detained in Baku arrested for 20 days

The court has released eight out of 11 activists detained on November 17 in Baku, after fining them. Three participants of the oppositional march were arrested for 20 days each.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 17, the police stopped a march organized by PFPA activists in Baku. About fifty people were detained. The march was organized on the occasion of the national holiday – the National Revival Day – marked in the country on November 17.

The court session that considered the detainees cases was held in the first half of November 19 in the Sabail District Court of Baku.

At about 1:00 p.m., Ali Kerimli, the leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), came out of the courthouse. He said that he was fined by 2500 manats (1500 US dollars).

He has treated the policemen's actions and the court's decision as illegitimate. "They've tried to accuse us of violating the law and holding an 'unsanctioned march'. But this is a lie. We didn't plan a political action; we wanted to commemorate the champions of freedom and independence. However, the authorities were afraid of this and decided to arrest us," said Ali Kerimli.

Seven other activists were fined by 400-500 manats (240-300 US dollars); and three marchers were sentenced to administrative arrest for 20 days each, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Tezekhan Miralamli, an employee of the PFPA's press service. According to his story, the activists' arrest will be appealed against.

The Sabail District Court has reported today that the above three activists were found guilty under the article on the organization and participation in unsanctioned pickets, marches and rallies.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 19, 2018 at 10:06 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.