20:24, 14 April 2014

Azerbaijan: police would not set activist of "Promoting Democracy" Tofig Gasymov free after his arrest expired, NGO reports

In Azerbaijan, Tofig Gasymov, an activist of the public organization "Promoting Democracy", which operates in the Salyan District, was not released after the completion of his administrative arrest. A criminal case was opened against him under the article of "extortion by threats", said a source from his NGO.

Let us remind you that Tofig Gasymov was convicted on April 4. The Salyan District Court of Azerbaijan found him guilty of "hooliganism" and sentenced to 10 days of administrative arrest.

"The Salyan district police refuse to share information. But a law enforcement source told me that a criminal case under the article of 'extortion by threats' was initiated against Gasymov," Emil Mamedov, the head of the "Promoting Democracy", told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to Mamedov, Alaif Gasanov, a lawyer from Baku, went there, but on April 12 "he was not allowed to see Tofig."

The head of the NGO believes that the case against Gasymov was falsified.

Let us note here that "extortion by threats" entails in Azerbaijan imprisonment from 5 to 10 years.

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent