People Accused of Involvement in Fighting in Syria Rejected Their Testimony

In the Baku Court of Grave Crimes chaired by Anvar Seyidov on April 6 there were hearings on the case of six Azerbaijani citizens accused of involvement in the fighting in Syria.

In the dock were Tural Hasanov, Elvin Aliyev, Farid Muradov, Namik Mammadov, Ruslan Mustafayev and Tariel Mustafayev.

The lawyer Elmar Suleymanov told Turan the defense again petitioned to release the accused from the iron cage. However, the application was not granted again.

Next the indictment was read. The defendants are accused of Articles 228.1 (illegal turnover of weapons), 279.1 (creation of illegal armed groups) 214 (terrorism), and others.

Afterwards the defendants refused of the testimony given during the preliminary investigation, saying that it was given under pressure.

They said they went to Syria not to participate in hostilities, but to provide medical and other assistance. They never visited military camps and returned on their own.

The lawyer Suleymanov said the investigation says the opposite, but there are no arguments to refute the voluntary return of the accused in the case.

The next meeting is scheduled for April 13.

Note that the defendants in this case are on the list of 26 Azerbaijani citizens detained by DHS on charges of involvement in military actions in Syria. -06D-