Third group of persons accused of riots in Guba sentenced in Azerbaijan

Today, the trial has been finalized of the third group of defendants, accused of riots in the city of Guba. Two out of seven defendants received real prison terms; the remaining five were sentenced conditionally.

On March 1, 2012, 10,000 people came to a rally in Guba demanding resignation of the chief executive of the district Rauf Gabibov. The action turned violent; its participants burned down Gabibov's villa and damaged the buildings of the district administration.

Seven defendants figure in the case. The prosecutor said that their guilt has been proved on all points and asked the court to sentence six defendants to five years' imprisonment, and one – to 5.5 years in prison.

An official of the executive power of the Guba District asked the court to pass – given the young age of most of the defendants and their positive characterization at workplaces – a more lenient sentence. The defendants themselves asked, in their closing remarks, the court to make a fair decision.

After a short conference, the judge announced the verdict: Gabil Aliev was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison, and Safar Garibov – to 1.5 years in prison. The remaining five defendants – Akif Aliev, Telman Dadashev, Samir Abdullaev, Mamedgasan Akperov and Zimistan Amiraslanov – were sentenced to three years conditionally.

On December 13 and 14, two more groups of defendants – 17 people in total – were convicted on these events. Four received real terms; others were given conditional sentences.