01:35, 28 May 2014

In Azerbaijan, defence of Facebook user Abdula Abilov intends to challenge verdict of guilty

Khalid Bagirov, an advocate of Abdula Abilov, a creator of the "Stop toadies!" Facebook group, who had been sentenced in Azerbaijan to 5.5 years of imprisonment on charges of drug trafficking, announces the intention to file an appeal against the verdict.

"We cannot accept the verdict. It will be challenged at the Baku Court of Appeal. As soon as we receive the text of the verdict, we will file an appeal within 20 days. We believe that the criminal case has been fabricated, and the court has failed to prove the guilt of Abdula Abilov," advocate Khalid Bagirov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The advocate believes the trial "has confirmed the falsity and absurdity of the investigation".

The verdict against Abdula Abilov has been condemned by the human rights organization "Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety" (IRFS). Emin Guseinov, Director of the IRFS, associates the severe punishment of Abdula Abilov with the policy of suppression of critical voices in the country and believes that the activist suffered because of realization of his freedom of expression.

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent