Azerbaijani SC upholds verdict to activist Bairam Mamedov

The Supreme Court of Azerbaijan has dismissed an appeal against the verdict to Bairam Mamedov, an activist of the "Nida" movement. The defence intends to appeal to the European Court for Human Rights (ECtHR) with a request to recognize violations of the activist's rights.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 8, 2016, the court found Bairam Mamedov guilty of illegal drug trafficking and sentenced him to 10 years of imprisonment. On February 10, the Court of Appeal upheld the verdict.

Today, the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan has considered the cassation appeal against the verdict to Bairam Mamedov, in which the defence requested to stop the criminal proceeding on justifiable grounds. This was told to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by Elchin Sadygov, an advocate of the sentenced activist.

"The Baku Court for Grave Crimes and the Baku Court of Appeal referred to evidence obtained by unacceptable methods. In particular, while pronouncing the verdict, the court referred to the testimony given by Bairam Mamedov under torture ... although at the trial, the activist described how he was beaten for confession," Elchin Sadygov explained the defence's position.

The advocate has reported that the Azerbaijani SC has refused to grant the cassation appeal. Elchin Sadygov has also added that the defence can now apply to the ECtHR.

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