Another youth activist arrested in Azerbaijan

Today, at a closed session, the Nariman District Court of the city of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, presided by Vugar Mamedov, decided to arrest Agasif Shakiroglu, leader of the youth coalition "Khedef" (Aim) for one month. The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed about it by Bakhruz Guliev, Mr Shakiroglu's advocate.

The youth activist is accused under Article 321.1 of the Criminal Code ("Evasion from military service"). So far, his advocate has preferred to refrain from comments.

The youth coalition "Khedef" was founded in June 2008 with the aim to defend the rights of young people and increase their role in the political life of the country. Its leader Shakiroglu was detained by employees of the 18th police station of the Nariman District Interior Department on Monday early in the morning, in the apartment in Baku, where he lives.

Today he has been interrogated at the Nariman District Prosecutor's Office, which has reported that Shakiroglu "was sent 4 summonses to appear to the military commissariat for the last year; however, he failed to appear, therefore, he was announced into search."

However, Agasif Shakiroglu himself, while at the District Prosecutor's Office, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by telephone that the charges put forward against him were "unjustified". "I was told that I was searched, however, it's not true. I've been always engaged in open public and political activity; I took part in public actions and never hid from anyone," said Mr Shakiroglu.

He asserts that on July 7, 15 and 20 he was at the Nariman District Military Commissariat to decide on his military service.

Shakiroglu believes that his detention is of political character and an element of the recently stronger campaign of persecuting youth activists."

In particular, he thinks that he is pursued for his critical statements about the Ministry of Defence of Azerbaijan placed on the Internet.

Let us note here that Shakiroglu was subjected to persecutions earlier. On May 10 this year, he was detained by the police for six hours because of his intention to take part in the protest action against the Flower Holiday.

Then, the young man was released after paying an administrative fine at a rate of 100 manats (120 US dollars). "I was accused of allegedly insulting a driver of bus No. 53. But this bus doesn't cross the place where I was detained at all," he has reminded.

Should his guilt under new accusations id proved, Shakiroglu is under threat of imprisonment for up to 2 years.