Family Concerned about Fuad Gahramanli’s Fate

Baku / 27.08.20 / Turan: The family of the arrested member of the Presidium of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) Fuad Gahramanli is concerned about his fate.

“We are alarmed. Since his arrest on 23 July, he only called home once. After that, he is not given any telephone conversations or meetings with close people,” a member of Gahramanli's family told Turan.

It should be reminded that Gahramanli was accused of organizing riots during the "Karabakh action" on July 14-15.

Charges were brought against him under 4 articles of the Criminal Code: 278 (violent seizure of power), 186 (deliberate destruction or damage to property), 233 (violation of public order) and 315 (use of force against a government official).

However, Gahramanli did not participate in the action and had nothing to do with its organization.

He was severely tortured in Baku Detention Center No. 1, unofficial sources said.

Currently, the detention center’s administration accepts parcels and clothes for Gahramanli. However, change of clothes and dishes in which the food was previously delivered are not returned.

“Fuad was detained on 23 July and since then he should have a lot of clothes to change. Where is all this? Every time we are told that Fuad himself does not want to return them. What is this nonsense?” the family member said.

It should be reminded that earlier Gahramanli was forced to abandon his lawyer, which once again convinced his relatives that he was forced to do this as a result of torture and pressure on his relatives.

It was not possible to obtain comments from the penitentiary service.

Gahramanli was several times arrested and imprisoned for a long time. He was last sentenced to 12 years on charges of organizing riots in Nardaran in 2015. Amnesty International recognized him as a prisoner of conscience.

In March 2019, Gahramanli was pardoned. –03B06—