Azerbaijan starts trying head of Educative Centre "Intellectual Citizen"

Azerbaijan has started the trial of the case against Gasan Guseinli, the head of the nongovernmental organization (NGO) named "Intellectual Citizen" Educative Centre, located in the city of Ganja (Gandzha). Gasan Guseinli is accused of hooliganism. On Thursday, the court has held a preparatory session and dismissed both motions filed by the defence.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 31, 57-year-old Gasan Guseinli was detained in the city of Ganja. He is suspected of stabbing Arzu Gakhramanov, a resident of Ganja. Prior to his detention, Gasan Guseinli has managed to claim a provocation.

"I and my colleague Elchin Sadygov have filed a motion to return the case to the prosecutor for legal assessment of the actions of policemen, who had committed gross violations of rights of Gasan Guseinli during his detention," advocate Alaif Gasanov has emphasized.

The advocate has also reported that "after his detention on March 31, Gasan Guseinli was not provided with a trusted advocate, and his family members were not immediately notified about the activist's detention."

The defence was insisting on returning the case for re-investigation under the supervision of the prosecutor. However, the Judge has dismissed the motion. This was reported by Alaif Gasanov.

The other motion was associated with the necessity of conducting video record of the trial and attaching the materials to the case together with the minutes of the court sessions. However, the motion has also been dismissed by the Judge.

See earlier reports: "Head of educative NGO Gasan Guseinli released in Azerbaijan", "EU condemns verdicts to Mamedov and Yagublu for riots in Ismailly", "Azerbaijan: at trial of "Nida" activists, defendant states illegal methods of investigation".