Family members of the defendants in the "Ganja case" complain about the security of the court

Baku/30.02.22/Turan: The trial in the case of Yunis Safarov, accused of attempting  on the life of the mayor of the city of Ganja, and other persons involved in this, did not take place on March 30 due to the absence of lawyers. The family members of the accused complained about the violation of their rights by court security officers. In particular, women stated that they were forced to remove their religious hijab.

“I have a metal wire in my leg after surgery. Each time it passes through the frame, it rings. Despite the fact that I am a believer, wearing a hijab, they make me take off my clothes. Other believing women are required to take off their shoes,” said Gunay Zalova, wife of one of the defendants.

There is an open bias against the family members of the Ganja case defendants, since those who come to other trials are not checked at all,” the woman said. 

* On July 3, 2018, an attempt was made on the then head of the executive power of the city of Ganja, Elmar Veliyev. Yunis Safarov, a resident of Ganja, wounded him with a pistol, as well as his bodyguard.

On July 10, a protest action was scheduled for residents of the city in front of the Ganja administration building. On the same day, riots broke out in the city, during which two policemen were killed. This was followed by mass arrests of believers and others.

According to these events, a criminal case was initiated against 70 people. The defendants received from 6 to 18 years in prison. About 10 people were given suspended sentences.

The trial of Yunis Safarov and other defendants began in January 2020. On August 16 of the same year, the court sentenced Safarov to life imprisonment, the other defendants - from 18 to 20 years in prison.

The verdict will enter into force after the decision of the Baku Court of Appeal. -30В06-