Ali Insanov accused authorities of embezzling funds from the privatization of state property

Today the Baku Court of Appeal (BCA) , chaired by the judge Qadim Babayev, continued re- trial of the former Health Minister, Ali Insanov. Re- investigation is conducted due to fact that the European Court of Human Rights March 14, 2013 adopted a resolution on the violation of Insanov’s rights to a fair trial. Pursuant to the decision of the ECHR, the Plenum of the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan, November 15, 2013 sent the case back for retrial to BCA.

At its meeting on January 17 BCA protection requested the disqualification of the court do not mean objective position of judges and rejection of the petitions of the accused and lawyers. But today it was announced that the withdrawal was rejected. He could be heard only when the judge turned on a microphone. He could also listen to the hall when they talked on the microphone. Lawyers protested this. However, the court ignored the objections of lawyers.

Then Insanov asked to speak and congratulated the people on the occasion of the 130th anniversary of Mamed Rasulzade. He said that the day will come when the remains of the great leader (Rasulzade) will be transported from Ankara to Baku. Insanov also claimed a violation of his rights for protection and not provide opportunities to consult with lawyers. Next prosecutor announced Insanov previous charges of economic crimes. During the break, a lawyer Togrul Babayev tried to come close to the glass compartment, but men in civilian stopped him and roughly pushed away. After the break, a lawyer petitioned for establishing the identity of these persons. "I am afraid to defend the rights of his client. I'm afraid of these people that in the courtroom used force against me.

I insist on establishing their identity," said the lawyer. But his application was rejected. Another lawyer Shahverdi Agaveis requested to return the case to the trial court and Insanov release from custody. He reminded that recently the Supreme Court took decision on a similar decision of the ECHR in respect of four opposition members on sending the case to the trial court.

However, this request was rejected. Insanov himself accused the court in the performance of the political order. Insanov denied the accusations. Insanov reminded that he was arrested on concocted charges of attempting a coup and 16 months in custody , and was later convicted of other fabricated charges. Insanov said that he was stronger than the "caviar diplomacy" by the authorities of Azerbaijan, and won the case in the Strasbourg court. As only Insanov called Ilham Aliyev’s name the judge turned off the microphone.

"You are afraid of my voice," said Insanov. When he said "ask Ilham Aliyev about privatization" the judge again turned off the microphone. In response Insanov began shouting and show through the glass with his hands figures claiming that from privatization of 50,000 objects in the country were earned 30 billion dollars which were transferred to Ilham Aliyev. The trial wil continue next Friday, on February 6. -03B06-