In Baku, court refused to change Akhundov's custody for home arrest

On April 17, the Nasimi District Court of Baku under the chairmanship of Judge Elnur Akhmedov considered the appeal lodged by Rashadat Akhundov, a board member of the civil movement "Nida" (Shout), asking to change his custody for home arrest. The court rejected the motion and left him behind bars.

Let us remind you that Akhundov was arrested on March 30 for three months. The young man was criminally charged under Article 228.3 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan (illegal purchase, transfer, sale, storage, transportation or carrying of firearms, component parts, ammunition, explosives and explosive devices in an organized criminal group), which assumes the punishment of five to eight years in prison. On April 4, the Baku Court of Appeal upheld the decision of arrest.

Akhundov is one of the seven "Nida" activists arrested in the last six months on charges of illegal possession of explosives and narcotics. On March 7, they detained Bakhtiyar Guliev, Shakhin Novruzlu and Mamed Azizov. On March 14, the "Nida" leader Rashad Gasanov was detained; on March 30 - two members of the Board of the Movement Uzeyir Mamedli and Rashadat Akhundov; and on April 1 - the activist Zaur Gurbanly.

At the court session on April 17, Rashadat Akhundov stated the groundlessness of accusations against him and the political motives of the criminal case, pointing to the lack of need to keep him in custody.

"All the same, no active investigatory actions are taken with Akhundov's participation. On the other hand, Rashadat Akhundov believes he is not guilty; and he has no reason to escape from the investigation. Anyway, while under home arrest, he won't be able to put any pressure on potential witnesses. Finally, his family circumstances make another argument that Akhundov will not hide from the investigation: just a week ago, his son was born; and in this situation he would not hide from the investigation, plunging his families into permanent anxiety," said Namik Gadjiev, Akhundov's advocate.

The Nasimi District Court did not take into account the arguments of the defence that there is no need to keep the defendant in custody.

The lawyer told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that this decision will be appealed against at the Baku Court of Appeal.