BCA refuses to release Gezyal Bairamly under house arrest

The Baku Court of Appeal (BCA) has dismissed the appeal filed against the refusal to change the pre-trial restriction measure to Gezyal Bairamly, the deputy chair of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) for house arrest.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 25, Gezyal Bairamly was detained when she was returning from Georgia. According to the State Border Service (SBS) of Azerbaijan, undeclared 12,000 US dollars were seized from Gezyal Bairamly and a criminal case was instituted against her under the article on smuggling.

"Unfortunately, today, the Baku Court of Appeal has left Gezyal Bairamly in custody. We have filed a motion to release from custody under house arrest for health reasons. However, the BCA has agreed with the investigators' arguments stating that 'while being free, Gezyal Bairamly may abscond from the investigators and put pressure on witnesses.' There is an interesting fact that border guards are involved in the case as witnesses. It turns out that Gezyal Bairamly can put pressure on law enforcers. Of course, these are not serious arguments," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by advocate Zibeida Sadygova.

She has noted that Gezyal Bairamly cannot receive medical treatment at SIZO (pre-trial prison). "Gezyal Bairamly underwent three surgeries. So, we requested to release her at least for humanitarian reasons. Gezyal Bairamly has said that she does not get her medicine. Besides, she has also complained about the fact that on June 5, she was not allowed to be visited by her advocate," stated Zibeida Sadygova.

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