Abdul Abilov: Azerbaijan is a big prison

An appeal will be made against  the court ruling in the case of Abdul Abilova, an activist on Facebook  who was sentenced to 5.5 years, said the  lawyer Khalid Bagirov. He said that the prosecution of the illegal drug trade was totally false and politically motivated. In his closing statement in court  on Tuesday the  lawyer said investigators had detained Abilova, exceeded powers by  conducting search without a court order.

Abilova was  arrested on November 22 at 15:.00 in front of his house and handcuffed, and  taken to the Chief Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (CDCOC) of the Interior Ministry. Then he was  brought back and  searched. This was confirmed by a witness in court -  the owner of the store located opposite.

After a search  he was  taken to CDCOC together with his wife’s brother, Ramil Ahadov. There they were asked about the page in facebook "Stop sycophants."

Then Abilova was pressured, that if he does not admit the drug trade, then  Ahadov also will be arrested. After this demand Ahadov was released. According to Bagirov , the police grossly falsified case, being confident of his impunity. However, he recalled the statement of President Ilham Aliyev that contrary to the criticism by international organizations , he will not punish the police.

Actually,  CDCOC before dealt with political affairs and pursuing anti-government actions.

Now, with the advent of Facebook, CDCOC found a new field of activity, and is now pursuing young activists  in the social networks. This agency is involved in the prosecution of other activists  on Facebook: Rashad Ramazanov (Agaddina ) Elsever Mursalli, Omar Mamedov and now Abdul Abilov.

The accused himself stated that he was being persecuted for political reasons for criticism and ridiculing on the Internet toadying officials.

At the same time, he recalled a recent interview with Sevil Aliyeva, the daughter of former President Heydar Aliyev, who said that people who betrayed Heydar Aliyev, now write books , trying to make  PR on his behalf.

Abilov also said it like other activists he is persecuted for criticizing the government.

"Power conducts repressive policies to scare people so that they either lived by its laws and caved in , or leave the country . My grandfather , a religious leader was shot in 1937. Now the descendants of those who punished our ancestors haunt us," said Abilov.

However, he pointed out that judges and prosecutors unfairly condemning activists , sooner or later will answer for it . Azerbaijan is a big prison, even if the person is  on the loose.

During arrest on November 22  2,679 gram of heroin was planted on Abilov’s pocket, and  4,677 gram of heroine were planted at his apartment.  -06D-

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On May 27  the Serious Crimes Court, chaired by Ahmed Guliyev sentenced  a 31-year-old Abdul Abilov, an activist   in Facebook . He was convicted of drug possession and sentenced to five and a half years  of imprisonment.

Abilov was arrested on November 22   in Yasamal district  near his house by the employees of the Office for Combating Organized Crime. In his pocket allegedly were found 2,679 grams  of heroin, and 4,677 gram of heroin were allegedly found at his home.

At trial Abilov said that the drugs were planted by police, and he  is  being persecuted for criticizing the government in social networks. In particular, he created and led a page called: “Stop sycophants.” Abilov was recognized by  defenders as a political prisoner. -16/06C-