Relatives of "Tartar case" defendants dissatisfied with re-investigation

Baku/16.06.22/Turan: Relatives of the defendants in the "Tartar case" held today a protest in front of the Military Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan.

They demanded a fair review of the day and punishment of those responsible for torturing the convicts during the investigation.

The protesters demanded the release of the convicts.

"For six months now there has been a re-examination. Why is my innocently arrested son still imprisoned," said one protester.

Also, the protesters demanded the resignation of Military Prosecutor Khanlar Veliyev. They believe it is essential for an objective re-investigation.

The rally ended without incident, reading out a statement from the protesters.

* In the spring of 2017, a group of military and civilians was arrested on charges of cooperation with Armenian special services and preparation of sabotage against units of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan. The investigation and trials in this case were closed. During the investigation eight people were tortured to death, five were subsequently posthumously rehabilitated.

In December 2021 the Terter case was reopened due to numerous protests by relatives of the innocent victims and those convicted.

By April this year, investigators had identified 397 people who had been tortured in military units as victims. At the same time, the sentences of 16 people who were wrongly convicted were cancelled.

Besides, 10 people were arrested on charges under Articles 145.3 (illegal deprivation of liberty), 293.2 (torture; cruel, inhuman or degrading), 341.2.2 (abuse of power), 341.2.3 and 128 (intentional infliction of light injuries) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.-30B06-