Judicial investigation in the case of Polad Aslanov has ended

Baku/09.10.20/Turan: The trial in the case of Polad Aslanov in the Baku Serious Crimes Court has completed, said his  wife Gulmira Aslanova. According to her, witnesses did not appear at the meeting on October 8 - the former head of the press service of the Islamic Party Akif Heydarli, a former member of this party Elchin Manafov and the mother of the convicted activist of the Muslim Unity movement Abbas Huseynov - Rahim Huseynov. The judge said that they sent telegrams about the impossibility of their participation in the  trial. However, the telegrams were not presented to the defense.

According to G. Aslanova, these persons were in the same delegation with her husband during the visit to Iran and during the preliminary investigation, false testimony against him. Two other witnesses, Ramiz Hasanov and Rauf Gurbanli, did not appear in court either. “Rauf Gurbanli is our neighbor. We see him every day, but for some reason he does not come to court. They gave evidence to the investigation, but they do not come to court to answer the questions of Polad and the lawyer,” said G. Aslanova.

 Lawyer Elchin Sadygov petitioned for their forced appearance in court. However, the judge announced the completion of the trial. The next meeting is scheduled for 16:00 on October 15, where the prosecutor is expected to speak and possibly the verdict will be announced. G. Aslanova noted that out of 22 witnesses, the court heard only 17 and most of them reported that their testimony was distorted during the preliminary investigation. G. Aslanova reported that her husband went on a hunger strike on October 1 due to the deprivation of his lawyer Elchin Sadigov of the right to individual advocacy.

“After that Polad was subjected to pressure: his hair was cut, handcuffed, and put in a punishment cell together with four accused of serious crimes. They began to demand from him to end the hunger strike; they told that because of him they also ended up in the punishment cell. After a 4-day stay in the punishment cell, Polad's temperature rose, but no medical assistance was provided to him. Polad maintains good spirits. He said that he is ready to withstand all difficulties, wishing success to our army in Karabakh,” G. Aslanova noted.

* * Polad Aslanov was detained on June 12, 2019,  and arrested for 4 months on charges under  the Article 274 (treason) of the Criminal Code. The investigation is being conducted by the State Security Service. On October 5, the arrest period was extended for another 4 months. He is accused of recruiting other journalists to cooperate with the Iranian special services. The Union "For Freedom of Political Prisoners" recognized Polad Aslanov as a political prisoner. -B06-