Arrest of oppositional politician Yadigyar Sadygov extended in Azerbaijan

The arrest of Yadigyar Sadygov, the adviser to the chairman of opposition "Musavat" Party, has been extended until September 27. This was decided on August 24 by the Lenkoran District Court.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Yadigyar Sadygov was arrested on June 27 as a suspect on the basis of a complaint lodged by Rashid Karimov, a resident of Lenkoran and a veteran of the Karabakh War. Karimov claims that Sadygov and his two comrades for no reason insulted him, and then beat, causing serious bodily injuries. The Lenkoran district police opened a criminal case under Article 221.3 (hooliganism committed with weapons or objects used as weapons) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.

During the court session, investigators failed to present any serious reasons for extending the arrest and motivated it by the need for additional investigating actions, as Khalid Bagirov, Yadigyar Sadygov's advocate, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. He believes that his client is persecuted for political reasons.

"Yadigyar Sadygov is an oppositional politician that enjoys authority among the population of the region. Besides, he is active in social networks. Apparently, on the eve of the presidential election the authorities want to isolate him from political processes underway in the country," believes the lawyer.