Prosecutors accuse Ali Insanov of drugs and violence against warders (UPDATED)

New charges are put forward against  the imprisoned former Health Minister Ali Insanov. In particular, he is charged with Article 234.1 of the Criminal Code (illegal purchase and storage of drugs or psychotropic substances), 315.2 (resistance or violence against a government representative) and 317-2.1 (manufacture, possession of prohibited items in  jail,) said lawyer Togrul Babayev. According to him, Insanov a drug containing psychotropic substances was found with Insanov. However,  he said that the drug  has no relation to him. Insanov took one drug against  blood pressure in jail, and  the medicine was officially passed under the supervision of prison staff.

In addition, Insanov allegedly resisted with violence to the  jail representative. A 70-year-old scientist denies resistance. The third Article is also associated with drug attributed to Insanov, the lawyer said. Insanov in his turn, said that the  new charges  were put forward at a time when  two months remain to his release, the lawyer said. Today, without the participation of Insanov the  Garadagh district court considered the question of his placement in the detention center. The defense did not agree with the allegations, and intends to put forward a new request. For all three charges Insanov may be sentenced to  seven years in prison. -06D--

2016 August 24 (Wednesday) 14:53:19

The law enforcement agencies have remained silent about the reasons for today's interrogation of the Heath Minister  Ali Insanov in jail. Against the absence of the official information, the pro-government media spread different versions of the reasons for re-engagement Insanov to the investigation.  Thus, according to one version, Insanov in "violation of the law," gave prescriptions for drugs to the prisoners in jail N13 engaging in "illegal medical activity" (!?).  By 14:30 the lawyers  of Insanov  were not available for comment. -06D-

2016 August 24 (Tuesday) 09:45:06

‘The rights of Ali Insanov are grossly violated. His lawyers for more than 3 hours have not been allowed to the questioning conducted by the Prosecutor of the Garadagh district, Natig Abdullayev, in Prison No 13.

We have asked them several times to allow us to the inquiry and not to conduct the interrogation without our participation. Every time we are told we would soon be allowed to, but this does not happen.’ Togrul Babayev, one of the lawyers of the convicted former Health Minister Ali Insanov, told Turan.

The lawyer noted the prosecutor's office suddenly started questioning less than two months before Ali Insanov’s release from prison.

Until now the cause of Insanov’s questioning remains unknown. The prosecutor's office has refused to explain the happening. -03B-

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Last night the lawyers for the former Health Minister Ali Insanov, Togrul Babayev and Shahverdi Agaveis, were called to Prison No 13 and informed that their client would be questioned by the prosecutor.

However, when the lawyers arrived at the prison, they were told that the interrogation was postponed to the morning.

At 8.00 the lawyers came to the jail again. But they are still not allowed to enter. At the same time, the Garadagh district prosecutor is in the prison, the lawyer Babayev told Turan.

The lawyers were not explained what caused the need for the ex-minister’s interrogation.

Insanov was arrested in October 2005 on charges of attempting a coup. Subsequently, however, the case was allocated in a separate proceeding and Insanov was sentenced to 11 years in prison for economic crimes.

Despite the fact that the European Court of Human Rights found a violation of Insanov’s rights, during the new trial in Azerbaijan the sentence was left unchanged.

In October this year there will be a deadline for Insanov’s punishment. However, the unexpected questioning of the ex-minister may be associated with the presentation of a new charge against him or with reviving the former one with the aim to leave 70-year-old Insanov in jail. -03B06--