Lawyers in the case of accused of Ismayilli events demand justification (UPDATED)

In Sheki Serious Crimes Court on February 24  the lawyers of six  accused of Ismayilli events  called on the court to acquit their clients.  The lawyers  of the businessman Saftar Agamalyev indicated that evidence in the case  were rigged.

The lawyer of  Anar Hasanov, working  in the local Olympic Complex, pointed out that his client, just like Agamaliyev did not participate in the riots , but rather prevented them, and it was confirmed by witnesses. The hearing will continue on March 3.

Today, the prosecutor suggested  to sentence leader of the civil movement "Republican Alternative" (ReAl), Ilgar Mamedov, to eight years in prison, and  the deputy chairman of the "Musavat"  party, Tofig Yagublu, to  seven years.

The prosecutor asked  for  other accused residents of  Ismayilli region the following  terms: Safdar Agamalyev, Anar Hasanovu and Vasif Ibragimov – nine  years of  imprisonment, Elshan Gurbanov , Sakhavat Samedov , Elshan Ismailly,  and Khayal Sharanov - 6.5 years , Shakir Mustafayev , Jeyhun Abbasov , Rashid Mamedov , Aydin Jabbarov , Dashgin Agayev - six years;  Ghanbar Agamalyev, Jafar Jafarov, Mirkazim Abdullayev - 5.5 years, and  Shukran Muhbalyev -  four years and three months. ---06D—

2014 February 24 (Monday) 13:46:02

On the trial of the Ismayilli events today, the prosecutor made his closing remarks. He proposed to condemn all the 18 defendants to imprisonment.

Thus, the prosecutor Fuad Musayev asked to sentence the leader of REAL, Ilgar Mammadov, to 8 years' imprisonment, and the deputy chairman of Musavat, Tofig Yagublu, to 7 years.

He also asked to sentence all the other 16 accused residents of Ismailly to terms ranging from 4 to 9 years of imprisonment.

All the defendants are charged under articles 220.1 (organization of mass riots) and 315.2 (the use of violence against police officers dangerous for their life and health).

During sentencing, the judge removed from the floor the leader of the Musavat party, Isa Gambar, and the ex-MP Panah Huseyn, because they mocked the charges, considering them far-fetched.

The hall took the performance by the prosecutor with indignation and curses.

The meeting will continue in the afternoon.

It is noteworthy that at the beginning of the trial the judge read out the address from Ismayilli people to the head of state with a request not to send the defendants to prison.

Note that the authoritative international organizations have repeatedly demanded the release of Ilgar Mammadov and Tofig Yagublu, calling the accusations against them rigged and politically motivated.

*January 23-24, 2013 riots took place in Ismayilli, the reason for which was the boorish behaviour of a group of people who are close relatives of the chief executive. This caused outrage and protests by locals, who burned the hotel Chirag and made clashes with the police, demanding the resignation of the district leadership. -06D-