Activists consider verdict against Agil Gumbatov politically motivated

The defence does not agree with the verdict against Agil Gumbatov, a member of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), and will appeal against the decision of the court. Activists consider the verdict biased and believe that Agil Gumbatov is being prosecuted for criticizing the authorities.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on November 15, the Grave Crimes Court sentenced the oppositionist to 10 years of imprisonment.

On August 11, Agil Gumbatov was detained in a case on stabbing a resident of the Zira settlement near Baku. Human rights defenders recognized him as a political prisoner.

Advocate Nemat Kerimli claimed that “the judicial investigation, like the preliminary investigation, was biased.”

“Agil said that he was arrested because he was criticising on the Internet the authorities’ policies. He said that offsprings of officials live in luxury at due to the country’s wealth, while ordinary people are short of money to feed their children. Agil demanded from the government to allocate child benefits for families,” said Aigyun Gumatova, a spouse of Agil Gumbatov.

Zafar Akhmedov, a member of the “Line of Defence” NGO, called the verdict politically motivated.

“For many years the authorities have been carrying out repressions against the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, and the case against Agil Gumbatov is a part of that campaign ... The elementary rights of Agil Gumbatov have been violated. Even the trial was held behind closed doors. Agil Gumbatov was punished for harsh criticism of the authorities, the country’s top leaders,” added Ilham Gusein, a member of the PFPA’s Presidium.