Trial over Bayram Mammadov

The preparatory hearing on the case of the NIDA activist Bayram Mammadov was held today at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes chaired by Eynulla Veliyev.

Recall that Giyas Ibrahimov and Bayram Mammadov were arrested on May 10 on charges of drug trafficking. However, they stated that the real reason for their arrest was graffiti on the monument to Heydar Aliyev: “Congratulations on Slavery!” and “Down with the System!”

Amnesty International recognized the activists "prisoners of conscience". Ibrahimov was sentenced to 10 years in prison on October 25.

During the meeting, the lawyer Elchin Sadigov petitioned to dismiss the case. If the request is rejected, it is proposed to replace the measure of restraint by house arrest and to exclude evidence obtained by torture from the case.

The lawyer also asked the court to bring the registration book of the Metropolitan Police, where they recorded information that Mammadov was a drug user, and request the lawyer’s office about the work schedule of the state attorney and if any witnesses in this case were used in other similar cases.

The lawyer said that Mammadov did not commit the crime and confessed under torture. His right to defense had been seriously violated.

The State Prosecutor Ramin Nagdaliyev opposed the motions and the judge dismissed them. The hearing on the matter is scheduled for 10:30 on 11 November.

Mammadov looked good and showed good spirits, saying only that there were problems with eyesight. He asked friends to bring him scientific literature and fiction books.

When the judge entered the room, the audience greeted them with laughter, which irritated Veliyev, who threatened to fine those laughing or arrest them for 2 days.

During the meeting, the defendant said he had protested. "My protest is against public policy and Ilham Aliyev. This is not a courtroom, but a theater. The script is ready. The director is Ilham Aliyev,” said Mammadov and was interrupted by the judge, who said, “Stop talking too much!”

At the end of the meeting Mammadov was handed the indictment. However, he demonstratively tore it. -03B-