Trial over Thale Bagirzade

Today the Sabunchu court presided by Samir Aliyev took up the case of the theologian Thale Bagirzade.

Bagirzade was arrested on March 31 and in two days Sabunchu court sanctioned his arrest on charges of drug possession (Article 234.1).

The defendant denied the accusation, believing that the true cause of his arrest was his message of March 24 , which voiced sharp criticism of the authorities. Bagirzade was recognized as a prisoner of conscience.

According to the lawyer Anar Gasimov, there were applications for release of Bagirzade from the cell, admission of journalists to the hall, to conduct the trial in a large hall and to resolve basic technical problems. However, the court dismissed the petition and protest of the defense.

Currently Bagirzade is in detention without a court order. "The arrest term of Bagirzade expired on October 1 and on October 14 at the preparatory meeting his arrest was not renewed.

“Thus, my client since October 1 has been under arrest illegally," said Anar Gasimov.

In front of the court gathered numerous supporters of Bagirzade, who expressed their discontent. More than a dozen of them were detained by police.

Continuation of the trial is scheduled for October 31 at 12:00. -03B04-