Trial of Human Rights Activist Taleh Khasmamedo Held in Semi-closed Mode

The Goychay District Court on May 26 under the chairmanship of Farhad Afandiyev started the trial of the human rights activist Taleh Khasmamedov, who is accused of hooliganism.

The trial was held in semi-closed mode. Thus, the court accepted only relatives of the accused. Local activists were not let into the courtroom. Moreover, outside the room control was carried out not by bailiffs, but by police officers. Turan was told by Khasmamedov's relatives.

At the meeting were the five victims - one civilian and four police officers. Another two traffic police officers and one civilian were involved as witnesses. According to investigators, on 24 February Khasmamedov near a furniture store in Goychay made hooligan actions against the victims and even used force. All the victims and two witnesses supported the police version. Only one witness - a civilian did not testify against Khasmamedov.

Khasmamedov's mother Gyulbuta Khasmamedova was also questioned as a witness.

She told how, coming with her son out of a furniture store, they were intercepted by a man who spat in the face of Khasmamedov and immediately fell to the ground. And then there were the police led by the deputy chief of the district police.

Khasmamedov has no lawyer. He protects his rights himself.

Khasmamedov petitioned for viewing at the next meeting the recording of surveillance cameras near the furniture store and demanded a medical examination of the victims. The judge granted both applications. At the same time, the court did not consider the petition to summon additional witnesses for the defense.

The next court session is scheduled for 15.00 on June 2.

The head of the Public Alliance "Azerbaijan without political prisoners," Oktay Gyulalyev believes that no allowance of the public for the trial is against the law and openness of justice.

In an interview with Turan, he expressed the opinion that the trial is closed to the public in order to hide the falsification of the criminal case. Gyulalyev believes Khasmamedov is persecuted for political reasons.

Khasmamedov is charged under Article 221.2.2. (Hooliganism associated with resistance to a representative of authority) of the Criminal Code, which provides for a sentence of correctional labor for up to two years, or imprisonment for up to five years.

* Khasmamedov was detained in Goychay on February 24 before a furniture store. When he left the store, he was approached by an unknown man who spat in his face. Then the man fell to the ground, pretending to have been beaten by Khasmamedov.

On February 26 the Goychay Court selected in respect of Khasmamedov a preventive measure of arrest for three months. Khasmamedov is known for human rights work in Goychay and Ujar. He criticized the local authorities on Facebook. Previously, he was convicted of human rights activities, but two years ago he was pardoned. -06B--