In Azerbaijan, 16 protesters against non-combat losses sentenced to large fines

Today, the courts of Baku sentenced 16 participants of the protest action against the non-combat losses in the Azerbaijani army to administrative fines in the amounts of 300-600 manats (about 340-680 US dollars).

16 participants of the protest action were found guilty under Article "Violation of order of organizing and holding meetings, rallies, demonstrations, marches, and pickets". The courts pronounced the decisions of fining them on the basis of representations of the police.

The number of protesters sentenced to fines includes members of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), the "Musavat" Party, the civil movement "Nida", the organizations "Free Youth" and "Positive Changes", and also young people who are not members of any political party or organization.

Ulvi Gasanli, the leader of the organization "Free Youth", one of the persons sentenced to administrative penalty, has stated that he does not intend to pay the fine. "I and the other guys are not going to pay the fines. The matter is even not that we do not have such money. We are actually against such unreasonably large fines aimed at violation of the freedom of assembly. We will file an appeal," the activist has stated.