The court in Azerbaijan considered activist Ilham Amirsalanov’s appeal

Shirvan Appellate Court of Azerbaijan considered an appeal from activist of “Kura” civil association Ilham Amirsalanov sentenced to two years of custody for accusation of illegal storage of arms and ammunition.

Amirsalanov was detained on June, 8, near the settlement of Askerbeili, Sabirabad district. On June, 11, a charge of illegal storage of arms and ammunition was brought against him and he was arrested for a two-months term. The activist denies these charges and considers that he is prosecuted for active protection of the rights of citizens injured by the flood on the Kura and Araz rivers in 2010, and disclosing facts of corruption during liquidation of the aftermath of disaster. On September, 13, Sabirabad district court sentenced Amirsalanov to two years of custody.

Oktay Giulalyev, Coordinator of the staff of ”Kura” civil association, informed the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent that hearings on November, 21, did not last long, judge Ahmed Nurmamedov only granted a number of motions of the defense.

In particular, a motion of attaching an amateur video shot during search in Amirsalanov’s house to the case was granted. In Giulalyev’s opinion, the video disproves the investigation’s version, according to which the defendant was detained upon operative information of having arms.

Next session of the court on the case was appointed on December, 12. Law enforcement officers who participated in his detention will be invited to the trial.