Two young "Nida" activists arrested in Azerbaijan

In Baku, on March 30, Uzeir Mamedli and Rashadat Akhundov, the members of the board of the civil movement "Nida" (Shout), were detained. By decision of the Nasimi District Court, both activists were arrested for three months, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

Uzeir Mamedli was accused under the article of illegal possession of weapons, explosives and facilities in an organized criminal group, which assumes the punishment of 5 to 8 years in prison. On same charges the court chose the freedom restraint measure in respect of Rashadat Akhundov.

Fakhraddin Mekhtiev, Mamedli's advocate, told the "Caucasian Knot" that during the session investigators failed to provide any primary evidence of the guilt and reasonable grounds to arrest the young man.

"The prosecutor's presentation was superficial and referred just generally to the need to make Mamedli responsible within the criminal case, under which four other 'Nida' activists had been earlier arrested," said Mekhtiev.

He added that Mamedli did not plead guilty.

Namik Gadjiev, Akhundov's advocate, also told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that his client refused to plead guilty.