In Azerbaijan, CoA upholds verdict to Ilgar Mamedov and Tofig Yagublu

The Sheki Court of Appeal (CoA) has dismissed the complaint lodged by Ilgar Mamedov and Tofig Yagublu, oppositional politicians, convicted on charges of rioting in the city of Ismayilly. At the same time, the sentence to three other figurants in the case was commuted.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the defence had lodged the complaint; and on August 12, the Sheki CoA held the first session, where the court rejected all defence's motions. On September 3, the defendants and their advocates demanded to disqualify the judges, but this petition was also rejected.

According to Sheki journalist Mamed Sadig Fataliev, the terms of Anar Gasanov and Elshan Gurbanov were reduced down to 3 years of conditional imprisonment; and they were released in the courtroom (earlier, Anar Gasanov was sentenced to 8 years, and Elshan Gurbanov – to 5 years in prison, – note of the "Caucasian Knot"). Elshan Ismayilly's term was reduced from 5.5 to 3 years.

Nemat Kerimli, a Yagublu's advocate, has treated the CoA's decision as an execution of political order. "The whole consideration process of the appeal complaint – witnesses' testimonies, watching of video materials – have just confirmed the innocence of Tofig Yagublu and Ilgar Mamedov; however, the CoA took a completely opposite decision," said the lawyer. According to his version, the defence will submit a cassation complaint to the Supreme Court.

The rights defender Gyunai Ismailova has called the CoA's decision another challenge to democratic values and principles of the Council of Europe.