Azeri theologian Bagirzade reports torture by police

The consideration of complaints about torture and violation of the rights of Talekh Bagirzade, the leader of the Movement "Muslim Unity", who is kept in custody in Azerbaijan, has begun behind closed doors by the court. The Bagirzade's testimonies were heard.

On November 26, 2015, in Nardaran, during a special operation, power agents detained 14 people, including Talekh Bagirzade, the leader of the "Muslim Unity". These detentions triggered mass disorders, in which seven people were killed. The Bagirzade's advocate stated physical pressure on his client with the aim to extract confessions and force him to slander others.

According to the advocate Javad Javadov, the consideration of Bagirzade's complaint was held on February 5 by the Nasimi District Court. "Talekh Bagirzade spoke at the trial and described the torture he was subjected at the GUBOP (Department for Combating Organized Crime)," said the advocate.

Javadov said that Bagirzade had his nose bridge damaged; "they demanded confessions from him and forced him to slander others." "However, he refused to plead guilty and give false testimonies against others. The judge said that the decision would be announced on February 9," said Javadov, adding that Bagirzade's rights are violated also at the SIZO (pre-trial prison). In particular, he still cannot exercise his rights to a phone call and a meeting with his relatives; he is not even allowed to receive parcels from his relatives.

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