The defence is going to appeal against the verdict to activist of “Kura” staff Amirsalanov to the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan

The decision of Shirvan Appellate Court bringing a standing judgement on the verdict of guilty to Ilham Amirsalanov, activist of the staff of “Kura” civil movement, will be appealed against to the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan, lawyer Samir Isaev declared.  

Earlier, the “Caucasian Knot” reported that Amirsalanov detained on June, 8, near the settlement of Askerbeili, Sabirabad district, was arrested for a two-months term on June, 11, 2012, for accusation of illegal storage of arms and ammunition. On September, 13, 2012, Sabirabad district court sentenced Amirsalanov to two years of custody. Amirsalanov rejects the charge and considers that he is prosecuted for active protection of the rights of citizens injured by flood on the Kura and Araz rivers in 2010 and exposure of facts of corruption during liquidation of the aftermath of the natural calamity.

According to Coordinator of “Kura” staff Oktai Giulalyev, on January, 25, Shirvan Appellate Court brought a standing judgment on the verdict of the first instance court concerning Amirsalanov.

“The court heard the evidence of witnesses for the defence who declared that at the moment of Amirsalanov’s detention he had no arms with him. However, the court brought a standing judgement of guilty”, Giulalyev said.

He emphasized that Amirsalanov’s case was politically motivated. “Ilham Amirsalanov can be considered a political prisoner without doubt”, Giulalyev said.

The “Caucasian Knot” has no comment from the investigation yet concerning the statement of “Kura” staff activist or the convict’s attorney.

Shirvan Appellate Court also declined comment. An employee of the chancery said that “the verdicts of the judges are not commented on, they may only be appealed against in a higher court”.