In Azerbaijan, court extends detention of theologian Bagirzade until June 30

Today, the Nariman District Court in Baku has extended the term of arrest of the theologian Talekh Bagirzade until June 30. The defendant and his defence treat this decision as unreasonable and intend to appeal against it at the Court of Appeal.

"The investigation motivated its motion on extending the detention for another month by the need of holding examinations and confrontations," Anar Gasymov, Bagirzade's advocate, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"We're objecting, since for more than 50 days after Talekh Bagirzade's arrest there were virtually no investigatory actions. Moreover, we insisted on a forensic medical examination in connection of the torture that was applied to the theologian at the police, but the Prosecutor's Office has rejected the motion; and the court is still protracting with the consideration of the complaint. During this time, the signs of torture have disappeared," said Gasymov.

The lawyer said that he would appeal against the court decision.

So far, the "Caucasian Knot" has no comments of the court, Prosecutor's Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the advocate's statement about the facts of torture.