"Nida" activists go on hunger strike in protest against prosecutor's speech

In Azerbaijan, at the trial of "Nida" activists, today the court has finished studying the evidence and listened to the closing speech of the state prosecutor. He demanded from 6 to 8.5 years of imprisonment for the defendants. The latter announced an endless protest hunger strike.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the case is tried by the Baku Court of Grave Crimes. The prisoner's dock houses seven "Nida" members: activists Bakhtiyar Guliev, Shakhin Novruzlu, Mamed Azizov, Zaur Gurbanly; and the members of the "Nida" Board Rashad Gasanov, Uzeyir Mamedli and Rashadat Akhundov; and Ilkin Rustamzade, an activist of the civil movement "Free Youth". Initially they were charged with possession of drugs and explosives. On September 12, 2013, all the eight saw new charges – of organizing mass disorders.

At today's session of the court, Rashad Gasanov said that the defendants treat their arrest as illegal; and in protest against the prosecutor's speech they go on an endless hunger strike. "We were arrested on the authorities' political order. We had believed that they would understand their mistake and release us. But this did not happen. We go on hunger strike and will continue it until we are released," said Gasanov.