Advocates of "Nida" and "Free Youth" activists claim investigators falsify evidence

The investigation against seven young activists of the movement "Nida" (Shout) and Ilkin Rustamzade, a member of the movement "Free Youth", was conducted with violations of the rules of proceedings, and the prosecution is based on the testimonies gathered unlawfully and on falsifications. This was stated by the defendants' advocates at the preparatory court session in the case against the youth activists.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 12, young people faced a new charge of organizing mass riots. They face up a sentenced of up to 12 years of imprisonment.

The advocates have filed a motion to close the criminal case, and, in case if such a motion is dismissed, they asked the court to change the pre-trial restriction measure for home arrest. The court will announce its decision at the court session, scheduled for November 14.

According to Asabali Mustafaev, the Gasanov's advocate, "Molotov cocktail" is an incendiary compound and it does not fall under Article 228.3 on Explosive Substances. "Thus, the investigators have committed a fraud to justify the charges against the young people under the above Article," Asabali Mustafaev has clarified.

He has also pointed out that the confessions that were given by Guliev, Novruzlu, and Mamedov on March 7-9, immediately after their detention, were based on unlawfully conducted search and obtained under psychological pressure.

It should be added that the "Amnesty International" (AI) treats the accused activists as "prisoners of conscience".