Ten participants of a protest action in “Bina” shopping centre, Azerbaijan, arrested for a two-months term

Ten participants of a protest action in “Bina” shopping centre in Azerbaijan held on January, 19, were made criminally liable. Arrest was selected as form of preventive punishment to them. 30 more persons underwent measures of administrative liability, a joint report of Public Prosecutor’s office and Chief department of Police of Baku runs.

According to a statement of law enforcement bodies of Baku issued in the evening of January, 21, the participants of the action inflicted bodily injuries on 19 policemen, 6 out of them are currently in hospital and 13 are undergoing outpatient treatment. 11 police cars got damaged.

On January, 21, Sabail district court of Baku selected preventive punishment in form of a two-months arrest to 10 participants of the protest action. The trail was held in a closed regime, without the presence of mass media.

Nemat Kerimli, Elnur Aliev’s attorney, commenting on the trial called the actions of the court a “shame”.

“The investigation did not establish my client’s involvement in the action. He says he just came out to get a shaurma and was taken to the police. During trial I demanded to provide evidence. In reply they said to me: “We will if necessary”, the lawyer said and declared that the verdict would be appealed against in the appeals instance.

Zarifa Guseinova, arrested Samid Guseinov’s mother, states that her son took no part in the action and was taken right from the store where he was trading.

The management of “Bina” shopping centre have not yet commented on the action and the traders’ demands.