In Azerbaijan, court reduces sentence to Faradj Kerimli

The Azerbaijani Supreme Court has commuted the sentence pronounced against Faradj Kerimli, an activist of the "Musavat" Party, from 6.5 to 3 years of imprisonment. The verdict against his brother Siradj Kerimli is upheld. The defence intends to apply to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in July 2014, first Siradj and then, a week later, Faradj Kerimli were detained as suspected of drug trafficking. In the spring of 2015, Siradj Kerimli was sentenced to six years of imprisonment, while his brother was sentenced to 6.5 years of imprisonment. In March 2016, Siradj Kerimli was pardoned.

The international human rights organization "Amnesty International" (AI) has called the verdict against Siradj Kerimli "another nail in the coffin of freedom of speech in Azerbaijan." The AI has also recognized his brother a "prisoner of conscience".

Today, the cassation appeals filed by the Kerimli brothers have been considered by different judicial panels, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

At first, the trial chaired by Judge Farkhad Kerimov considered the Faradj Kerimli's case, the "Caucasian Knot" was told by advocate Nemat Kerimli.

According to him, the defence insisted on the verdict of acquittal. "Unfortunately, the court has only partially upheld our appeal," said Nemat Kerimli.

The advocate reports that the appeal of Siradj Kerimli has been completely dismissed. "Despite the fact that Siradj is already free, we sought acquittal to completely cancel his criminal record. Unfortunately, the court has dismissed the appeal," said Nemat Kerimli. He has emphasized that the case is "totally of political nature."

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