13:00, 18 March 2013

In Azerbaijan, court extends arrest of Tofig Yagublu, deputy chairman of "Musavat" Party

Today, the Nasimi District Court of Baku has considered a motion to extend the detention in the form of arrest of Tofig Yagublu, a deputy chairman of the "Musavat" Party. Court granted the motion of the prosecutor's office and left the oppositionist behind bars for two months more.

The investigation motivated the extension of custody by the "complexity of the criminal case" and Yagublu's capability to evade investigation and put pressure on the witnesses, Nemat Kerimli, Yagublu's advocate, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"These are poor arguments. Firstly, for the period from February 4, no investigatory actions have been made with Tofig Yagublu – no interrogations and no confrontations. On the other hand, even if he is under home arrest, he still will not be able to press the witnesses who are residents of the Ismailli District, 200 km away from Baku," said the lawyer, adding that he would lodge an appeal complaint.

According to Kerimli, on March 18 Yagublu stated during a court session that he rejected the accusations and he was persecuted for his active oppositional activities.

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent