Religious activist Telman Shiraliev re-convicted in Azerbaijan

A court in Baku has sentenced Telman Shiraliev, a religious activist, to five months and 18 days in prison. Rights defenders view the new case against Shiraliev as politically motivated, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on October 5, Telman Shiraliev's prison term expired, but in late September, he was accused of illegal keeping prohibited items in the colony.

Telman Shiraliev was tried by the Khazar District Court of Baku; the trial was over on December 20, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has reported.

The court found him guilty under Article 317-2.1 (manufacture, storage, or carrying of prohibited items in the penitentiary facility or SIZO (pre-trial prison)) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan and sentenced him to five months and 18 days of freedom deprivation.

Elshan Gasanov, the coordinator of the Union "For the Freedom of Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan" (UFFPPA), has treated the new case against Shiraliev, as "politically motivated, like the previous one."

"They did with him the same as with Mamed Ibragim, an activist of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA): a few days before the end of the term and release, they suddenly 'found some piercing-cutting objects on him.' Not a single sensible person, especially political prisoners, would keep any thing illegal. Authorities have the only goal in mind – to break recalcitrants and to show that they can keep them in prison endlessly," Mr Gasanov has stated.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 20, 2018 at 11:24 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.