Defenders demand to consider appeal against arrests of Azerbaijani IDPs

The Court of Appeal has closed the consideration of an appeal filed against the arrests of four internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the Jabrail District of Azerbaijan, who were arrested for involvement in a protest action against power cuts-off in villages for IDPs. An advocate of the arrested people announced his intention to seek for review of the Court's decision.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 22, 2016, law enforcers dispersed the IDPs, who held a protest action with the demand to release them from electricity charges. As a result of a clash, nine police were injured and four protesters were detained. Advocate Elchin Sadygov, who represents the interests of the arrested IDPs, filed a complaint against their arrests.

On January 16, the Shirvan Court of Appeal held a court hearing to consider the appeal filed against the arrest of four IDPs.

"During the court hearing, it became clear that the Investigating Department for Serious Crimes of the General Prosecutor's Office sent a letter stating that a single advocate might not be a defender of four defendants because of 'the contradictions between the interests' of the suspects," advocate Elchin Sadygov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

As a result, the Court took into account the letter received from the General Prosecutor's Office, declared the appeal unacceptable and closed its consideration.

Elchin Sadygov believes that the letter "of the investigative body violates the defendants' right on defence."

The advocate intends to file an appeal to the court against the actions of the investigative body.

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