Police Disperse PFPA Supporters in Front of Court Building

Baku / 07.01.19 / Turan: Today in the Baku Court of Grave Crimes a preparatory meeting has begun on the so-called criminal case "On illegal financing" of the PFPA.

About 100 people gathered in front of the court building - supporters of the accused. However, only a few people were allowed into the hall, including the leader of the Popular Front Party Ali Kerimli.

Representatives of the independent press are also not allowed to the trial. The rest of the opposition remained in front of the court building. However, the reinforced police squads dispersed the crowd, despite the fact that they stood quietly. At the same time, five people were detained, including member of the Council of Democratic Forces Vahid Maharramli, head of the economic commission of PFPA Nemat Aliyev, the party"s activist Kenan Basgal and two others.

Recall that three activists of the Popular Front Party appeared before the court: Agyl Maharramli, a member of the party"s Board, Babek Hasanov, head of the Narimanov district department, Ruslan Nasirli, an activist of the youth committee, Saleh Rustamov, the former head of the Gadabey region, and his nephew Vidadi Rustamli.

On May 26, 2018, the country's Prosecutor General"s Office announced their arrest on charges of "illegal financing" of the PFPA. The arrested were accused of illegal business, money laundering, criminally obtained, etc.

PFPA denied the unlawful funding. All those arrested were recognized by human rights activists as political prisoners. -21C-