BCA upholds verdict to activist Gakhramanov

The Baku Court of Appeal (BCA) has upheld the verdict to Elgiz Gakhramanov, an activist of the “Nida” movement. His defence intends to file a cassation appeal to the Supreme Court (SC).

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on January 16, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes sentenced Gakhramanov to 5.5 years in jail for a large-scale illegal drug dealing. At the court session on April 27, all the defence’s motions were rejected.

At the session, advocate Fariz Namazly called the verdict of the first-instance court "illegal and unjustified."

"During the search of the Gakhramanovs' apartment, two books by the Turkish preacher Fethullah Gulen were allegedly found; that is, they first collected ‘exhibits’ for another charge and wanted to make use of them within the then widespread campaign against Gulen supporters; however, then, apparently, they decided to choose drugs,” said the advocate.

Elgiz Gakhramanov himself said that although in 2004 he graduated from a higher school in Turkey, he was never interested in Gulen's teaching. He stated that the drugs had been planted on him by an employee of the GUBOP (Chief Department for Combating Organized Crime).

"My son graduated from two higher educational institutions: the accusation of drug dealing is an absolute lie; the court failed holding a fair trial," said Djamal Gakhramanov, the activist’s father.

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