16:31, 20 October 2018

Azerbaijani oppositionist Gasanov denies confessions

Man in handcuffs. Photo: © Sputnik / Anar Mustafayev https://ru.sputnik.az/incidents/20180220/414125415/byvshij-zek-avtomat-zaderzhan-baku.html

The Baku Court of Appeal (CoA) has left Azad Gasanov, an activist of the "Musavat" Party, accused of drug dealing, in custody. The oppositionist has stated that he had given his confessions at the police station under a threat of torture.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Azad Gasanov was arrested on October 12, the next day after he returned to Azerbaijan from Lithuania, where he was in political emigration.

"This is a frankly fabricated case. Since his detention, gross violations of the law were committed. Gasanov was detained by people in civilian clothes, who didn't even introduce themselves as policemen. They forced him into a car and planted drugs into his pocket; and began threatening him at the police station," said Osman Kyazimov, an advocate.

Gasanov, as he said, is a believer and has nothing to do with drugs. The advocate is sure that Gasanov is persecuted for political reasons.

According to Mr Kyazimov, the defence will start drafting a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

Earlier, the "Musavat" Party had condemned Gasanov's arrest, seeing political motives in it.

Gasanov is a member of the "Musavat" Party since 2003, and has actively participated in protest actions.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on October 19, 2018 at 11:18 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Faik Medjid

Source: CK correspondent