Ali Karimli accused of libel

A private criminal complaint has been filed against the chairman of the Party of People's Front of Azerbaijan (PPFA) Ali Kerimli.

A preparatory hearing on the case has been scheduled for 13 August at Baku's Nasimi district court, Kerimli wrote on his face-book page.

The Nasimi District Court informed Turan that the court hearing, chaired by Babek Panakhov, is set.

"However, the notice sent from the court does not specify the complainant and under what pretext the case was initiated.

It is simply noted that a private charge has been filed due to an offence against the freedom and dignity of a person. These are Articles 147 (slander) and 148 (insult) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan," Kerimli said.

Talking to "Turan" correspondent, Kerimli pointed out that he did not insult or slander anyone.

"This is another falsification of the repressive machine. I will say right away that no criminal case, no threat of arrest or even real arrest will stop our struggle for freedom and justice," Kerimli stated.

The "Electronic Court" portal says that the complaint against Kerimli was filed under Article 147.1 (libel) of the Criminal Code, which provides for various punishments ranging from a monetary fine to imprisonment for up to 6 months.

There have also been earlier attempts to prosecute him. Back in 1994, they tried to charge him with illegal carrying of ammunition, and since 2006 he has not been issued a foreign passport.

The European Court of Justice recognized the deprivation of Kerimli's passport as unlawful. However, the Azerbaijani authorities still ignore this decision.