11:54, 3 October 2007

Advocates of Farkhad Aliev, Azerbaijani ex-Minister of Economic Development, demand to release their client

Today, at the Court for Grave Crimes of Azerbaijan, the defenders of Farkhad Aliev, former Minister of Economic Development of Azerbaijan, have demanded to release their client. Advocate Elton Guliev has informed the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent about it.

According to Mr Guliev, the advocates have reminded the court about the former merits of the ex-Minister before the country and the current authorities. In particular, the advocate has noted that his client had defined the economic policy of the country for a decade, being at the same time a member of the Political Board of the party in power - "Eni Azerbaijan," and it would be wrong to accuse him of grave state crimes.

Further, the advocate has noted that all the charges presented to his client have been forged. According to Elton Guliev, the court intentionally shuts their eyes to obvious falsifications of evidences. During the trial, ex-Minister's rights were permanently breached, and the accusation of an attempt of coup d'etat is noting but an intention to put Farkhad Aliev into prison for a long term.

Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent