Trial in the case of the Ali Karimli's bodyguard

Baku/03.03.21/Turan: On March 3, the trial began in the case of Niyameddin Ahmedov, a member of the Popular Front party, bodyguard of the Party’s leader Ali Karimli, began in the Baku Serious Crimes Court. The defense put forward two petitions - to terminate the criminal case, and if not satisfied - to replace him with house arrest. The judge dismissed both motions.

The father of the accused, Arif Ahmedov, who was present at the trial, told reporters about his son's innocence and the use of torture against him during the investigation.

The deputy chair of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, Seymur Hazi, announced the political motives of the persecution of Niyameddin Ahmedov, regarding his arrest as pressure on the party. The next hearing is scheduled for March 10.

* On April 16, 2020, the Khatai District Court of Baku arrested Niyameddin Ahmedov for 30 days for violating quarantine and disobeying the police. On April 28, he was taken from the administrative detention center to an unknown place, where he was severely tortured. He was demanded to testify against Ali Karimli.

After the expiry of the term of administrative arrest, on May 16, Ahmedov was charged under Article 214-1 (financing of terrorism) of the Criminal Code and was arrested again. Human rights activists recognized N. Ahmedov as a political prisoner.

On January 18, new charges were brought against him - under the Article 233-1.1.2 (illegal manufacture, acquisition, storage, transportation, carrying and transfer or sale to another person of items, the inclusion of which in civil circulation is prohibited by law (excluded from civil circulation) and 28,281.2 (preparation for public appeals directed against the state, committed repeatedly or by a group of persons) UK. -16B06-