Azerbaijani Supreme Court satisfies oppositionist's claim against MIA

The Supreme Court of Azerbaijan has passed a decision to cancel the 2004 decisions of the Nasiminskiy and Appeal Courts on the claims of Sardar Dzhalaloglu, leader of the Democratic Party.

Fuad Agaev, Mr Dzalaloglu's advocate, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent about it.

We note here that the leader of the Democratic Party had complained of use of tortures against him after his arrest in October 2003 by employees of the MIA's Department for Fighting Organized Crime. However, the Nasiminskiy and Appeal Courts have rejected his claims. Then, Mr Dzhalaloglu filed a complaint to the European Court for Human Rights and won the case. The government of Azerbaijan had to pay out 10,000 euros of compensation to him.

At today's session of the Plenum of the Supreme Court, Sardar Dzhalaloglu and his advocate demanded to cancel the decisions of the Nasiminskiy and Appeal Courts and punish the persons guilty of passing them.

After consideration, the Plenum has passed a decision to cancel the above decisions of the Nasiminskiy and Appeal Courts and sent the case for investigation of the facts of tortures against Dzhalaloglu.

"It is the first case in Azerbaijan, when the decision of the European Court for Human Rights has led to cancellation of local courts' rulings," Fuad Agaev said.