In Azerbaijan, human rights activist Vidadi Iskenderov arrested for ten days

Today, the Yasamal District Court of Baku has sentenced the human rights activist Vidadi Iskenderov, the head of the NGO "Enhancing Protection of Democracy" and a former "prisoner of conscience", to administrative arrest for 10 days for disobeying the police.

Vidadi Iskenderov was found guilty under Article 310.1 (wilful disobedience to lawful request of a police officer) of the Code of Administrative Offences. The Article stipulates the minimum penalty in the form of a fine of 20-25 manats (25-32 US dollars) and the maximum penalty in the form of arrest for 15 days.

Vidadi Iskenderov is charged with "interference in the actions of the post-patrol service of the road traffic police, refusal to obey to their lawful requests, and chanting anti-government slogans." The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told about it by Anar Gasymov, the advocate of the human rights activist.

According to the advocate, Vidadi Iskenderov pleaded not guilty and stated that his prosecution was politically motives because of his human rights activities.

According to Anar Gasymov, the decision about his arrest will be appealed against at the Baku Court of Appeal.

The human rights activist was brought to justice in connection with an incident that occurred in the morning on April 15, when Vidadi Iskenderov intervened in the dispute between young women crossing the road at wrong place and the police. This was reported by Ogtai Iskenderov, Vidadi's brother.