18:20, 30 May 2007

Azerbaijan: trial of ex-Minister for Economic Development starts

Today, the Court for Heavy Crimes has started the proceedings on the case of Farkhad Aliev, former Minister for Economic Development of Azerbaijan, and 18 other persons, including his brother Rafik Aliev, former president of the Azpetrol oil company.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports that the session started with the main defendant's challenge of the whole composition of the court. He motivated his petition by partiality and bias of the judges and non-admittance of independent press into the courtroom. Farkhad Aliev also expressed his discontent with removal of advocate Adyl Ismailov from the case and non-admittance of his European lawyer to the process. Farkhad Aliev has stated that his rights for defence were constantly violated.

Advocate Fuad Agaev who is defending Rafik Aliev's interests has also challenged the composition of the court and asked that this petition should be considered by the Appeal Court, not by the present composition. Once again, the advocate raised the issue of his client's illegal detention, since his arrest term had expired.

Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent