23:59, 19 April 2022

Number of victims of torture in “Terter case” increases to 397

The General Prosecutor’s Office of Azerbaijan. Photo: APA https://apa.az/ru/incident/otmenen-prigovor-v-otnosenii-16-lic-figurirovavsix-po-terterskomu-delu-478261/

Investigators recognized as victims 397 people who were tortured in military units, and the sentences of 16 people unreasonably convicted in the “Terter case” were cancelled, the General Prosecutor’s Office of Azerbaijan reported. Seven militaries were arrested on the charge of using torture.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that in December 2021, the investigation into the “Terter case” was resumed, and by February 9, 163 more people were recognized as victims, the General Prosecutor’s Office of Azerbaijan reported. Furthermore, four persons, accused of torturing militaries, were arrested, and the sentences of 16 convicts were challenged.

Rasul Djafarov, the head of the Baku Human Rights Club, noted that the reconsideration of 16 cases was an important fact.

The General Prosecutor’s Office of Azerbaijan reports that military men Rashid Niftaliev, Ruslan Mikailov, Senan Mashiev, Djabir Gakhramanov, Polad Azizov, Elchin Aliev, and Intigam Mamedov were charged with illegal actions, including use of torture and abuse of authority. All of them were arrested, and Polad Azizov was arrested in absentia.

According to the investigators’ version, in May-June 2017, in the Terter, Agdam, and Beylagan Districts, the military men exceeded their authority, interrogated people who were considered suspects in committing crimes, and tortured them. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) noted that more than 200 military men fell victim to torture, and 11 of them died.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 19, 2022 at 04:46 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.