18:29, 3 July 2014

Azerbaijani CoA softens punishment to activist Elsever Mursalli

The Sumgait Court of Appeal (CoA) in Azerbaijan has commuted the punishment to the young activist Elsever Mursalli by reducing his prison term from five to two years. This decision followed the statement disseminated by the activist that he had quitted the "Nida" youth movement and would support the course of President Ilham Aliev.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Elsever Mursalli was arrested on October 3, 2013, in the city of Khachmaz. On April 3, 2014, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes found Mursalli guilty under the article of "illegal purchase or possession of a large amount of drugs with the aim to sell them" and sentenced him to five years of imprisonment.

Samir Asadli, a member of the former committee in defence of Mursalli's rights believes that the young man's leniency was a result of his public repentance; however, it is "in itself another confirmation of the political nature of his case." According to his version, "a man can't just suddenly change his political views in a couple of days."

Let us remind you that in late May a convicted activist Bakhtiyar Guliev also issued a statement about his quitting the "Nida" movement.

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent