Activist Vakhabov said about the physical pressure on him in the police

Baku/29.09.23/Turan: On September 28, the Baku Court of Appeal deliberated over a complaint filed against the detention of Ruslan Vakhabov, an activist and member of the Public Council of Talyshs of Azerbaijan (OST).

According to information obtained by Turan from Vakhabov's relatives, he was apprehended on September 22 while en route to his workplace. Subsequently, he was transported to the 23rd department of the Nizami District Police Department in Baku. It was there that Vakhabov alleged being confronted with accusations related to an anti-war post on Facebook, posted during the anti-terrorist operation in Karabakh.

Reportedly, Vakhabov endured physical abuse, including having his hair seized and being dragged across the floor, in an attempt to coerce a confession that 6 grams of heroin were discovered in his possession.

Following his detention, Vakhabov's fundamental rights were purportedly violated, as he was denied access to his family and the opportunity to retain a lawyer of his choosing.

Despite Vakhabov's claims of torture and the arguments made by his legal counsel regarding violations of his right to a fair defense and the absence of concrete and reliable evidence supporting the charges against him, the Court of Appeal dismissed the complaint.

The Regional Environmental Social Trust (REST) maintains that Vakhabov is facing persecution due to his anti-war statements and his online statuses addressing issues pertaining to the national and cultural rights of the Talysh community.

The organization has also emphasized that Vakhabov serves as the sole provider for his family, which includes two young children. Furthermore, Vakhabov's health is reportedly compromised, as he has suffered from jaundice and struggles with a chronic lung ailment. From this standpoint, his detention is not only deemed unjustifiable but also inhumane.—06B-