Human Rights Defender Denies Theft Charges

Baku / 18.08.20 / Turan: An indictment was announced today in the Sumgayit city court in the case of the head of the Legal Education of Sumgayit Youth NGO Elchin Mammad.

It states that Mammad, in order to embezzle someone else's property, in March of this year pulled out the victim's bag of jewelry worth 5,993 manats, causing significant damage to her. According to the prosecutor, the items were seized from the office of the NGO headed by the accused.

Also, 9 cartridges for the Makarov pistol were found in the office.

In his testimony, Elchin Mammad linked the charges against him with his human rights activities and the report on human rights violations in the country.

He called the investigation biased and his persecution unfounded. At the same time, Mammad expressed hope that the current trial will be fair.

Mammad said that the items “found” in his office were placed there in advance. He also indicated that in this case there was a warrant for searches in the office and in the apartment. However, the search was carried out only in the office.

“It turns out that they had information in advance about the storage of these items in the office,” Mammad said.

He noted that he was called to the police and reported on the complaint against him on March 26. The search was carried out on March 30. “Would a thief keep keeping evidence against himself all this time in the office?” Mammad asked rhetorically. The police officers who carried out the search did not appear in court.

 The trial will continue on August 21 with the testimony of the victim and witnesses.

Several international organizations have condemned the persecution of Mammad. —06D-