Mammadov and T.Yagublu speak at the trial on "Ismayilly case" (UPDATED)

Ilgar Mammadov and deputy chairman of the "Musavat"  party, Tofig Yagublu, head movement "REAL",  made testimonies on  January 8 in the  Sheki  Serious Crimes Courts at the trial  in the case of Ismayilli events. They and 16 other defendants are  accused of organizing or participating in riots in Ismaily  on 23-24 January, 2013.

Mammadov said that he arrived in Ismailli to get acquainted with the situation and giving a political assessment, and added that  during a similar popular unrest on  March 1, 2012 in Guba, he also visited the area for the same purpose.

According to him, both events had the same origin and became a manifestation of the  crisis of power. Mammadov called the accusations against him "political" and rejected them.

In turn, Yagublu said that he came in Ismailli as a representative of the newspaper "Yeni Musavat" to prepare reportage. He was in  the city  only 15 minutes,  then was expelled from the  region, and sent to Baku by  police escort.

He called the accusations against him "political", and  called the trial "a  show."

The trial will continue on January 9. -02D-

2014 January 08 (Wednesday) 13:37:34

Baku/08.01.13/Turan : In Sheki Court of Grave Crimes January 8 was continued the trial of Ismayilli events.

In this case as defendants are 18 people , including the head of the movement REAL Ilgar Mamedov and deputy chairman of Musavat Tofig Yagublu . They are accused of organizing or participating in riots in Ismaily 23-24 January 2013.

In the first half of the day two defendants spoke, reports Turan from Sheki.

Elshan Ismayilli said that has no relation to the protest actions. The defendant said that he was being persecuted because of the journalistic activities of his brother Elchin Ismayilli, who is an employee of the opposition newspaper Azadlig.

The father of the accused Samad Ismayilli also said that authorities arrested Elshan to avenge his brother for wide coverage of the Ismayilly events in the press. "The head of the district police Nizami Gojayev himself admitted that they could not arrest Elchin because he was a journalist, so they arrested Elshan," said Samad Ismayilli.

Further the epileptic Mirkazym Abdullayev spoke. At an earlier meeting he lost consciousness. Abdullayev said that he could not read and write, and so no he did not sign the protocols . The accused did not even sign the text of the readings composed by his counsel.

Abdullayev said that he was put under physical pressure during the preliminary investigation. So, the deputy district police chief Shohrat Karimov proposed him to give evidence against the defendants, promising to release him.

However Abdullayev refused this . In addition, he said, the police vice-vhief offered the mother of the accused to bring 2000 manat in exchange for his release. But the family did not have such funds.

At 14.30 the trial will continue.

Recall that on January 23-24 in Ismayilli riots occurred , and the reason for this was the behavior of the manager of the Chirag hotel owned by the nephew of the then head of the district executive power. The hotel manager furthermore insulted the local population .

In response, a group of residents set fire to the hotel and to the cars that were in the yard . The next day, the locals began to protest , demanding the resignation of the head of the district . The rallies later escalated into clashes with security forces .

Mamedov and Yagublu arrived in Ismayilli on January 24 to review the situation when the riots were on the decline .

They were later arrested and charged with organizing mass riots and resisting arrest .

The international community has recognized Yagublu and Mamedov prisoners of conscience and repeatedly demanded their immediate release. Authorities ignored all these calls . Besides Mamedov and Yagublu, 16 more people stand before the court. -06B06-