The Supreme Court of Azerbaijan dismissed four oppositional activists’ cassational appeals

On June, 5, trial on cassational appeals of four activists convicted in connection with the oppositional meeting of April, 2, 2011, was held in the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan under the chairmanship of judge Farman Kerimov. Sahib Kerimov, Babek Gasanov, Elshan Gasanov and Elnur Israfilov asked the court to revoke the verdicts of guilty against them and bring verdicts of complete acquittal, however the Supreme Court dismissed the activists’ appeals.

On August, 25, 2011, Sabaiyl district court of Baku sentenced Elnur Israfilov to 2,5 years, Sahib Kerimov and Elshan Gasanov to 1,5 years and Elshan Gasanov to 2 years of custody. Later the Appellate court of Baku brought a standing judgment. All the four convicts were acknowledged “prisoners of conscience” by “Amnesty İnternational”.

This February Babek Gasanov got early release on parole and Elnur Israfilov was pardoned in March. However, they also submitted cassational appeals demanding complete rehabilitation.

A big group of the oppositional activists’ supporters as well as young activist, ex-“prisoner of conscience” Baktiyar Gadjiev released on parole on June, 4, were present at the hearings in the Supreme Court.

The defendants’ attorneys declared that pre-trial inquiry, investigation in first instance court and the Appellate court had been biased and their clients’ guilt was not proven. The defendants themselves also stated political motivation of their cases.

The prosecution, in its turn, insisted on the defendants’ guilt. After brief deliberations the court brought a verdict of dismissal of the cassational appeals. So, Sahib Kerimov and Babek Gasanov remained in custody.