In Azerbaijan, two suspects of riots in Guba sentenced to 4 and 5 years in prison; seven more – conditionally

Today, the Guba District Court in Azerbaijan has announced the verdict to nine persons accused of disorders (riots) in the city of Guba. Two of them received real sentences, and seven more were sentenced conditionally. Yesterday, on December 13, on the same events eight more persons were sentenced, including six of them – conditionally.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 1, 10,000 people took part in a rally in Guba and demanded resignation of Rauf Gabibov, the head of the executive power of the district, who have moved accusations against Guba townspeople. A video report posted on the Internet caused the protest, which turned into riots. Protesters burned down Gabibov's villa and damaged some auxiliary buildings of the district administration.

Yesterday, in their closing remarks the advocates said that their clients' guilt of committing criminal offenses was not proved; and the violation of the law by them was embodied into an unsanctioned rally, which should have been qualified as an administrative offense. The defendants themselves had also denied the charges of destructing others' property, disorderly conduct and resisting the police.