Defence appeals against arrests of two Azerbaijani activists

On October 13, advocates demanded to release from custody two activists of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) arrested on the charge of disobeying the police. Activists Alifag Abdullaev and Eldaniz Samedov themselves believe they are being prosecuted for their participation in an opposition rally.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that after on October 7, more than 1000 people went to an anti-corruption rally in Baku, six PFPA members responsible for organizing the rally were subjected to administrative arrests of 10-30 days.

On October 12, according to advocate Yalchin Imanov, it became known about the arrests of Alifag Abdullaev and Eldaniz Samedov, two other activists. On October 9, Alifag Abdullaev was sentenced by the court to fifteen days of administrative arrest. On October 10, Eldaniz Samedov was arrested for ten days. Both activists were found guilty under Article 535.1 (failure to obey to the lawful requirements of the police) of the Code of Administrative Offenses.

At the request of the arrested activists' relatives, the advocates prepared complaints and on October 13 sent them by express mail to the Shirvan Court of Appeal. The complaints contain a request to cancel the arrests of the activists and release them from custody. According to advocate Yalchin Imanov, the appeals are to be considered within three working days.

It follows from the court verdicts that both activists pleaded not guilty. They associate their arrests with their participation in the opposition rally held in Baku on October 7, as well as with the dissemination of the photos from the action in social networks.

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