Activist of NIDA rejects accusations of preparation a revolution

Today Baku Serious Crimes Court chaired by Javid Huseynov held a hearing in the case of seven NIDA activists and member of the organization "Free Youth".

The court hall welcomed defendants with applauds, and the defendants and their supporters complained of poor hearing in the hall, and demanded to switch on the microphones.

”Is our crime more serious than the crimes committed by Haji Mammadov? (a former police officer, the head gangster group, sentenced to life in prison,)” said the accused Zaur Gurbanly, recalling that that at that trial they spoke to Mammadov through a microphone. However, the judge ignored the remark of a young man.

He further suggested the accused Rashad Hasanov, a member of the Board to give evidence, but Hasanov refused.  Then the judge himself began to read testimony at the inquest.

Hasanov was arrested on March 14 and then in the National Security Ministry (NSM) he did not plead guilty.

Hasanov said that he participated in the peaceful protest against the soldiers' deaths, but rejected the allegations in the preparation of unrest in the use of "Molotov cocktails."

Asking the question of the investigator, Hasanov admitted that he was familiar with the local office of the U.S. National Democratic Institute (NDI), Ruslan Asadov. However, NIDA has never received a financial assistance from   the NDI.

Hasanov confirmed his testimony to preliminary investigation, and said that still does not understand what he is accused of.

Responding the questions from the prosecutor and lawyers in court, Hasanov said that during a confrontation with Mamed Azizov, the latter said that he had given testimonies under pressure. 

Hasanov said that the aim of NIDA is to achieve democratic reforms and peaceful means of struggle.

Hasanov said that he took part in a protest on March 10 in connection with the invitation posted on the group created in Facebook. NIDA itself has not organized the action.

"We have no plans to overthrow this government like the revolution in Egypt” said Hasanov ironically about fabricated testimonies of other activists that he offered to make a revolution with the help of Molotov cocktails, like in Egypt. The  trial will  continue on December 26.

The trial will continue charged with preparing On March 10 young people  are accused  of preparation of protest actions in Baku on Fountain Square. They were also  are charged with illegal possession of explosives , drugs, and hooliganism. -16C06-