Appeals Court upholds the opposition leader under arrest

Baku Appeals Court today rejected the complaint of the teacher Elvin Pashayev, a youth activist of the party "Musavat."  Pashayev is accused of large amounts drug trafficking, said his lawyer Nemat Karimli. The complaint was filed against the decision of the Narimanov District Court of Baku which arrested Pashayev. Pashayev himself took part in the consideration of the appeal and rejected the accusations, saying that the real reason for his arrest became publications in social networks, which protested against the rise in prices. In addition, he called the reasons for his arrest, the criticism of the facts of bribery in Sumgait State University. "There is no grounds for criminal prosecution of  Pashayev. Obviously, this is a politically motivated case,"- said Kerimli.

* Pashayev was detained on January 23, and two days later was charged under Article 234.4.3 (drug trafficking on a large scale) and arrested for four months. Pashayev is a member of the youth organization "Musavat", teaches philology at the preparatory courses “Hedef.”- 05B-