20:22, 5 May 2014

In Azerbaijan, CoA upholds conviction to Talekh Bagirzade

Today, the Baku Court of Appeal (CoA) has dismissed the complaint lodged by the theologian Talekh Bagirzade, who had been sentenced to two years in prison on charges of illegal drug possession. His defence intends to appeal against the verdict at the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Talekh Bagirzade, who criticized the Azerbaijani authorities in his sermons, was detained on March 31, 2013. According to investigators, drugs were found on him at detention. The theologian refused to plead guilty. In November 2013, he was sentenced to two years in prison on suspicion of possessing and selling drugs.

Commenting on today's decision of the CoA, Talekh Bagirzade said that it was absurd to expect an objective decision from an unfair court. He noted that "now in Azerbaijan the power is against the people – perpetrators are at large, and innocent people are in jails."

According to Djavad Djavadly, the theologian's advocate, a cassation complaint against this decision of the CoA will be submitted to the Supreme Court, and should its decision be negative, an application will be lodged to the European Court of Human Rights.

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent