Verdict on Convicts on Siyazan Events to Be Appealed

Baku / 16.04.17 / Turan: The verdict on 11 convicts on the Siyazan events will be appealed, the lawyer Elchin Sadigov told Turan IA.

It should be recalled that on 12 and 13 January 2016 in Siyazan there were actions against the rise in prices caused by the devaluation of the manat. The police severely dispersed the protests and 55 people were detained. Many of them were given administrative penalties, while eleven people, including Fariz Karimov, Muslim Azimov, Talib Agamaliyev, Joshgun Bagishov, Elchin Aliyev, Zaur Shakarov, Kamran Abdullayev, Aydin Safarli, Abaset Suleymanov, Namig Mastanov and Nizami Ganiyev, were brought to criminal liability. They were charged with criminal charges under articles 186 (intentional destruction of someone else's property), 221 (hooliganism), 228 (illegal possession and carrying of weapons), 233 (organization of actions that contribute to disturbance of public order or participation in them), 234 (drug trafficking) and 315 (resistance to a representative of power with the use of violence) of the Criminal Code.

On March 29, the court sentenced Azimov and Shakarov to 6 years in prison, Kerimov, Suleymanov, Mastanov, Bagishov, Agamaliyev, Aliyev, Abdullayev and Ganiyev - to 4 years in prison, and Safarli - to 2 years in prison.

Agreements were signed with the lawyer Sadigov for the protection of rights of three convicts, i.e. Shakarov, Ganiyev and Bagishov, in higher courts.

The lawyer considers the verdict illegal in view of the inadequacy of the charge and numerous violations during the preliminary and judicial investigation and intends to seek an acquittal verdict.

Human rights activists have announced those convicted on the Siyazan events potential political prisoners and intend to study their cases thoroughly to make a final assessment. -06D--