PFPA Activist in Nakhchivan Faces Toughened Charge

In the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan, the Popular Front Party’s (PFPA) local activist Zeynal Bagirzadeh is facing toughened charges.

Bagirzadeh was arrested on 16 November last year under Article 315.1 (violent resistance to government representative).

According to the results of the preliminary investigation, the prosecution of Bagirzadeh was reclassified to Article 315.2 (violent resistance to government representative in a life-threatening way). In the first case, he would face up to three years in prison, whereas now he faces up to seven years.

Bagirzadeh has already appeared before the court. Moreover, a preparatory meeting was held on January 8 without informing his relatives. To the next meeting the relatives were allowed, said the brother of the arrested, the head of the regional branch of PFPA, Yashar Bagirsoy.

He noted that Zeynal was arrested on trumped-up charges. This is evident from the testimony of witnesses who testify the same as if written in the same script. At the same time, they are confused when asked clarifying questions.

A few days before his arrest, Zeynal’s home in the village Nehram was visited by representatives of the State Social Protection Fund, demanding payment to the Fund. Bagirzadeh was being out and one of the officials named Faig Ismayilov made insulting comments about the host. When his wife protested, the official insulted the woman, too. Later Zeynal Bagirzadeh came to the Social Protection Fund, demanding an explanation why his wife was insulted. In response Ismayilov hit Bagirzadeh and began to beat him together with two other officials.

Almost unconscious, he was thrown into the street and received help from passers-by. Recovering, Bagirzadeh complained to the Prosecutor's Office of Babak. Two days later, he was summoned to the prosecutor's office and arrested.

At trial, the five neighbors of Bagirzadeh confirmed that Faig Ismailov really insulted his wife and all the inhabitants of Nehram.

The wife of the arrested claimed that her complaint against Ismailov was not accepted for consideration.

The arrested man does not have an independent lawyer. His rights were defended by a state solicitor, who did not come to the trial. Then he has been given another lawyer also appointed by the state.

Bagirsoy suspects that his brother in custody is subjected to physical and psychological pressure.

"Zeynal has always actively defended his rights. However, in court, he looks somehow wilted and speaks in a sluggish way. He begins to talk about one, then slips and forgets what he wanted to say. We suspect that he is given some psychotropic drugs," said Bagirsoy.

The arrested man is not given a meeting with his relatives. Complaints to the court and the prison service are inconclusive. The next hearing on this case is scheduled for January 27.

A few years ago Bagirzadeh was arrested and convicted because of his protests against the arbitrariness of officials who blocked the water supply to the village. Subsequently, the prison term was changed by a suspended sentence. -06B-