Baku: court refuses to release the leader of ReAl Mamedov on bail

Today, Ilgar Mamedov, the chairman of the public movement "Republican Alternative" (ReAl), was left in custody by today's ruling of the court, which refused to release him on bail, Fuad Agaev, Mamedov's advocate, has reported.

Ilgar Mamedov is charged with organizing mass riots in the city of Ismailly on January 23-24 this year. A similar accusation was moved against Tofig Yagublu, the deputy chairman of the "Musavat" Party. Both of them are under arrest.

The Nasimi District Court has considered the petition to release Mamedov without the participation of journalists, since, according to the legislation of Azerbaijan, all the sessions related to appointment or change of freedom restraint measure are held behind closed doors, Mr Agaev has explained.

The defence argued its position by the fact that "no investigatory actions are conducted under the case"; and after his release Mamedov will stay in Baku unable to exert pressure on the witnesses in Ismailly. But the court did not accept these arguments and dismissed the petition, the lawyer told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to the lawyer, Mamedov himself participated in the trial and called the charges against him ridiculous, far-fetched and politically motivated. Agaev has added that the defence will appeal against the court's decision at the Baku Court of Appeal.