In Azerbaijan, Baku CoA leaves human rights defender Intigam Aliev under arrest

Today, the Baku Court of Appeal (CoA) has dismissed the appeal filed by Azerbaijani human rights defender Intigam Aliev about the extension of his arrest and refusal to replace the pre-trial restriction measure in the form of arrest by house arrest or release on bail.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Nasimi District Court of Baku, acting under the presentation of the Prosecutor's Office, arrested Intigam Aliev for three months; and the Court of Appeal (CoA) upheld the decision. Aliev is accused of tax evasion, abuse of power and illegal entrepreneurship. On September 12, 2014, Baku district court dismissed the petition lodged by Intigam Aliev, asking to change his freedom restraint from custody to home arrest.

"Consideration of the appeal has become a mere formality. Like usually in political cases, the Court has definitely taken the side of the investigation. The appeal was dismissed," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Djavad Djavadly, an advocate of Intigam Aliev.

The advocate has stressed that Intigam Aliev himself did not attend the trial because of his sickness. "Intigam Aliev has asked the Court to consider the appeal without his presence," the advocate has explained.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.