Fourth PFPA activist arrested over a week

Mubariz Abdulkerimov, the chairman of the Sheki District branch of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), was arrested for 15 days in an administrative case on hooliganism. His colleagues called the charge as far-fetched and associated the persecution of the activist with his opposition activities.

In the evening on August 22, Mubariz Abdulkerimov was detained in the city of Sheki, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed by Ilkham Gusein, a member of the Presidium of the PFPA's Supreme Mejlis. "Today, at about 12:00 a.m., Mubariz Abdulkerimov was taken to court and after the trial against him was over, they informed his family members that Mubariz Abdulkerimov was arrested for 15 days," Ilkham Gusein said.

According to the PFPA's member, the Sheki District Court found the activist guilty under the administrative article on petty hooliganism. 15 days of arrest is the maximum penalty under the above article.

Ilkham Gusein treats the charge against Mubariz Abdulkerimov as far-fetched. "Mubariz Abdulkerimov is an intelligent person, the head of the regional organization of our party. It is an utterly absurd to accuse him of petty hooliganism. We do not know what they wrote in the police protocol and court decision, but we are sure that Mubariz Abdulkerimov was arrested under a false charge far-fetched against him. Mubariz Abdulkerimov has become the fourth activist of our party arrested this week. Another member of the party was fined," Ilkham Gusein has noted.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 23, 2019 at 03:18 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.