Azerbaijani oppositionist Aliev convicted in defamation case

Ali Aliev, the chair of the “Citizens and Development” Party, was sentenced to six months of imprisonment on a complaint about insulting honour and dignity. As a result, the activist’s total prison term in three criminal cases was increased to a year. The defence plans to file an appeal against the court’s decision.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on January 13, a court sentenced Ali Aliev to five months of imprisonment, finding him guilty of defaming border guard Emil Djafarov. On April 15, a court pronounced a similar decision on the complaint of Ramin Adilov, another border guard, who also accused the oppositionist of defamation. On May 27, it was reported that Ramiz Geyushev, a former functionary of the ruling “Yeni Azerbaijan” Party, filed a private lawsuit against Ali Aliev, accusing him of an insult.

Today, the Yasamal District Court of Baku has completed the consideration of the case against Ali Aliev based on the complaint of Ramiz Geyushev. The court sentenced Ali Aliev to imprisonment for six months, the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent was told by politician’s advocate Djavad Djavadov.

Judge combined the verdict with previous one and sentenced Ali Aliev to 12 months of imprisonment to be served in a common-security penal colony.

“This verdict is illegal not only because there was no actual defamation. Article 148 (insult) of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code fell under the amnesty announced in November. Since the interview for which Ali Aliev was accused was released in September 2021, that is, before the amnesty, the court, after finding Ali Aliev guilty, should have immediately extended an amnesty to him and stop further criminal prosecution. Moreover, the court imposed the maximum sentence under the article, which provides for up to six months of imprisonment. This is a clear indicator of the biased attitude of the court,” advocate Djavad Djavadov said.

According to him, Ali Aliev called the verdict a political decision and a continuation of previous court’s decisions aimed at punishing by the authorities of their “political opponent.”

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 23, 2022 at 12:52 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.