National Council condemns the verdict in the case of events in Ismayilly region

The  National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF) expressed strong protest with the court verdict on the "Ismayilly events." The statement noted that from the  very outset, the investigation and trial  in the case of the accused was accompanied by gross violations of the law. International organizations and employees of foreign embassies observing the trial declared "political" nature of the case.

 On March 17, 2013 Sheki  Serious Crimes Court sentenced 18 defendants in connection with the riots in Ismailly 23-24 January 2013.

 The REAL Movement  leader, Ilgar Mamedov, was sentenced to  seven years in prison , the deputy chairman of the party "Musavat" ,Tofig Yagublu, to five years.  Other  eight people were  sentenced to  eiaght years. The same number of defendants received suspended sentences.

The National Council believes that the main perpetrators  repaim unpunished, no legal assessment  was given to bureaucratic arbitrariness,  and illegal actions of officials. Court punished the people who defended their rights and dignity.

The verdict in this case has shown once again that the courts in the country are not an organ of fair justice; they are part of  punitive apparatus, reads the statement of the NCDF.—06D-