Court of Appeal Leaves Adviser to PFPA Head in Prison

Today the Baku Court of Appeal chaired by Aflatun Gasimov held a review of the appeal from the adviser to the head of PFPA Mammad Ibrahim, sentenced to 3 years in prison on charges of hooliganism.

According to Turan's lawyer Yalcin Imanov, the court rejected the appeal and upheld the verdict.

Ibrahim himself, speaking at the trial, said he was arrested for political reasons and does not expect the court of justice. The judge interrupted Ibrahim, demanding that "he should speak to the point."

The defense will submit an appeal to the Supreme Court and then to the ECHR.

Note that a complaint about Ibrahim's arrest has already been filed with the ECHR, which states abuse of the right to liberty (Article 5 of the European Convention.)

Ibrahim was arrested on September 30 last year on charges of disorderly conduct (221.1) (the complaint was filed by Mikail Guliyev, a former member of the PFPA). Subsequently, this article was reclassified to a heavier charge on article 221.2.2, on which Ibrahim faced up to five years in prison. During the trial at first instance all the prosecution witnesses confirmed Ibrahim's innocence and non-use of force by him against those recognized as victims by the investigation. Ibrahim also denied the charges, saying he is being persecuted for opposition political activity. Nevertheless, Narimanov Court on March 15 admitted Ibrahim guilty and sentenced him to 3 years in prison. Human rights organizations have recognized him a political prisoner. -06b-