Azerbaijani court leaves two "Nida" activists in custody

Today, the Nasimi District Court of Baku has rejected the motions lodged by the defence of the "Nida" activists Rashad Gasanov and Uzeyir Mamedli asking to take them out of custody and put under home arrest.

"In fact, there was no trial. The judge has simply listened to our arguments about the unreasonable keeping Rashad Gasanov in custody, because no investigating actions have been undertaken for five months already, and just dismissed the petition. As to the cases of 'Nida' activists, as well as of other civil and political activists, judges are implicitly obeying the political order," the lawyer Asabali Mustafaev, Gasanov's advocate, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The consideration of the motion was formal, said the lawyer Fakhraddin Mekhtiev, who is defending Mamedli. "The judge has just rejected the motion without explaining his decision," said Mekhtiev.

Both lawyers will appeal against the decision at the Baku Court of Appeal (CoA).

Let us remind you that Gasanov was arrested on March 14. He is charged under Article 228.3 (illegal possession of firearms, explosives and devices in an organized criminal grouping) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. Gasanov denies the charge and states that he is persecuted for political reasons.

Uzeyir Mamedli was arrested on March 30 and charged with illegal purchase, transfer, sale, storage, transportation or carrying firearms in an organized criminal grouping.