12:02, 21 April 2020

Azerbaijani oppositionist sentenced for video clip about policeman

Alizamin Salaev, an activist of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), has been sentenced to a real prison term on charges of defamation and insult after posting a video clip in social networks criticizing a policeman. The PFPA treats the verdict as politically motivated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Ali Kerimli, the PFPA leader, said that the activist was tortured after being detained. Salaev's advocate has confirmed that his client has health problems. According to the police, Salaev was detained due to violating the public order in the drunken state, and for disobedience to the lawful demands of the police.

The video clip posted in the YouTube channel "Made in Azerbaijan" shows footage of a dispute of Alizamin Salaev with a man in civilian clothes, who is named the head of the police division. Salaev accused the man of having dishonoured a girl, deceived her by refusing to marry her, which aroused indignation of Salyan townspeople.

The PFPA has treated the verdict to Salaev as "another fact of repressions against party members."

"Alizamin Salaev is the ninth party activist arrested or convicted in recent days," says the PFPA's statement.

Khalid Agaliev, a lawyer, has noted that "the very fact of bringing an activist to criminal liability for defamation is criticized from the viewpoint of the respect for the freedom of expression." According to his story, the court passed a "rather severe verdict close to the maximum one."

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 20, 2020 at 09:13 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Faik Medjid

Source: CK correspondent