The Court of Appeal upheld the verdict against Zamin Salaev

Baku/13.07.23/Turan: The Baku Court of Appeal has completed today the consideration of the appeal of the activist of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan Zamin Salayev. 

The defense petitioned for summoning and questioning in the appellate instance of the witnesses involved in the case, who were not heard in the court of first instance, lawyer Neymat Kerimli told reporters.

"The Court of Appeal must eliminate the errors and shortcomings of the court of first instance. Unfortunately, this did not happen and the sentence was upheld without change," the lawyer said. He noted that Salayev himself appeared in court and denied the charges.

According to the lawyer, Salayev said that the criminal case was fabricated for political reasons. The lawyer noted that Salayev had resumed his hunger strike since July 10, demanding his release from prison.

The defense intends to file a cassation appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision of the Court of Appeal.

*Zamin Salayev was detained on February 7, and the next day the Garadagh court arrested him on charges of hooliganism with the use of weapons (Article 221.3 of the Criminal Code). Since his detention, Salayev has been on a hunger strike demanding his release. On May 22, the court sentenced him to 4 years in prison. On June 1, on the 115th day of the hunger strike, he stopped the action after giving him assurances that the Court of Appeal would objectively consider his complaint.

The US Embassy in Baku called on the authorities to release Salayev and other political prisoners. ---21B06---