Religious activist convicted again for political reasons

Baku / 20.12.18 / Turan: The trial in the case of the believer Telman Shiraliyev ended today in the Khazar district court.

He was sentenced to 6 years in prison after participating in a protest rally on October 5, 2012 in front of the Ministry of Education.

However, a week before the release, a new lawsuit was filed against him.

Allegedly, an awl was "discovered" under his pillow, and he is accused under Article 317-2.1 (manufacturing, storage, carrying prohibited items) of the Criminal Code.

Today the court sentenced Shiraliyev to 5 months and 18 days in prison.

Human rights activists believe that the new case against Shiraliyev was instituted due to the fact that he refused to write a petition for clemency.

According to Elshan Hasanov, coordinator of the Union "For the Freedom of Political Prisoners", Shiraliyev was convicted on the basis of a biased judicial investigation and was defended by a lawyer appointed at state expense.

According to the human rights activist, the rights guaranteed by Article 6 (the right to a fair trial) and 13 (the right to an effective remedy) of the European Convention on Human Rights.

"We consider the decision of the court unfair, biased and politically motivated. Shiraliyev will be re-included in the list of political prisoners," Hasanov said. -05D-