Power Increases Repression against Movement of NIDA
On Saturday there were detained two members of the board of the civil movement NIDA Uzeir Mammadli and Rashadat Akhundov. They were taken to the Department of Investigation of Grave Crimes of the General Prosecutor's Office. They were charged under Article 228.3 (illegal possession of firearms, explosives and equipment in an organized criminal group) of the Criminal Code. After that the young people were brought to the Nasimi District Court, where in respect of them there was selected a preventive measure of arrest for a period of 3 months.
The lawyers of the young people stated that their clients do not plead guilty.
The lawyer of Mammadli Fehreddin Mehdiyev told Turan that the investigation did not provide conclusive primary evidence against the defendant and his unfounded arrest was motivated by the need for a criminal case in which four other activists had been arrested earlier.
The lawyers of Mammadli and Akhundov intend to file an appeal against the arrest.
Recall that on March 7, the activists of NIDA Bakhtiyar Guliyev, Shaheen Novruzlu and Mamed Azizov were arrested. They were accused of preparing acts of violence during the upcoming protest on March 10 against deaths of soldiers in the army. According to the investigation, in the apartments of the activists there were found explosives and drugs. However, their relatives said that the substances were brought by employees of law enforcement agencies. March 14 another activist of NIDA Rashad Hasanov was arrested. International human rights organization Amnesty International has recognized the detainees "prisoners of conscience."
A Board member of NIDA Turgut Gambar said the persecution of the activists is for political reasons.
In his view, "the authorities seek to weaken NIDA». However, he said, the arrests have reinforced the determination of the members of the movement fighting for democracy. -16B06--
Politics
-
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova has decided to unilaterally terminate the Moldovan-Russian agreement from 1998 on the creation and operation of cultural centers.
-
By the order of the head of state, Rufat Mahmud has been appointed the new head of the historical and architectural reserve "Icheri Sheher" – the historic center of Baku.
-
On February 13, the Appeal Court did not satisfy the defense's appeal against the decision of the Khatai Court regarding the arrest of journalist Shahnaz Beylargizi. According to the lawyer, the journalist herself did not participate in the trial due to poor health. The defense intends to submit a petition to replace the arrest with house arrest.
-
Azerbaijan will limit 'Sputnik Azerbaijan' and 'BBC News Azərbaycanca' editorial offices. This was reported by the country's pro-government media on 13 February, citing an informed source.
Leave a review