An activist of "Public Chamber" movement arrested in Nakhichevan

On December, 26, Zeinal Bagirzade, Head of regional branch of civil movement for democracy "Public Chamber", was arrested for a term of three months for accusation of forgery of documents in Nakhichevan autonomous republic (NAR). This was the judgment of Nakhichevan city court.

Judge Mehman Dunyamalyev held the session in a private regime. Malakhat Nasibova, Head of human rights Resource Center in NAR, informed the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the charges were brought according to clauses 178.3.2 (fraud), 310 (misappropriation of authority of an official) and 320.2 (use of forged documents). In case if his guilt is proven he may be sentenced to up to seven years of custody.

According to the materials of the investigation, Bagirzade "forged documents and illegally received a pension as a Chernobyl disaster fighter".

However, before the beginning of the trial Bagirzade declared that he had really participated in elimination of the consequences of the disaster at Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

Bagirzade considers that he is persecuted for political reasons, in particular, for having headed the regional branch of civil movement for democracy "Public Chamber" (CMDPC) and his brother Yashar Bagirsoy is the leader of the branch of People's Front of Azerbaijan party (PFAP) in NAR.