TRIALS IN AUGUST 2021
9 August
The Court of Appeal rejected the complaint to the persons involved in the “Tovuz case”
Baku Court of Appeal
On 9 August, the Baku Court of Appeal upheld the verdict of the defendants in the “Tovuz case” who were found guilty of complicity with ISIS.
Commenting on the decision of the court, one of the lawyers of the accused, Elchin Sadigov, called it “illegal and unfounded.”
According to him, the convicts continue their hunger strike and for the third day, they refuse even water.
“Their health is grave. They could not stand on their feet,” said the lawyer.
On 4 May, the Baku Serious Crimes Court sentenced: Samir Qurbanov to 8 years, Amin Hasanov to 7 years, Aflatun Bayramov to 7 years, Babek Mammadli to 7 years, Tehran Qasimov to 5 years, Javid Amanov, Elgun Ismayilov, Aladdin Ibishev, Yusif Imanov, Orhan Qurbanov and Shahriyar Jabbarov – to 2.5 years in prison.
The defendants in this case were arrested several years ago on charges of participating in the war in Syria as part of illegal armed groups. The defendants declared their innocence in any form to ISIS.
16 August
Yunis Safarov sentenced to life imprisonment
Yunis Safarov
On 16 August, the Baku Serious Crimes Court passed a verdict of the accused in the “Ganja case”, and sentenced the main defendant Yunis Safarov to life imprisonment.
The rest of the defendants were sentenced to: Jafar Zalov – 19 years, Firudin Zeynalov – 19 years, Rasim Mustafayev – 20 years, Akif Aliyev – 20 years, Mahir Azizov – 20 years, Hamlet Abdullayev – 19 years, Vugar Mamedov – 19 years, Jeyhun Salakhov – 19 years, Jeyhun Qurbanov – 18 years in prison.
Safarov in his last speech said that he attacked the former head of Ganja Elmar Valiyev because of his rough treatment of the residents of the city.
Earlier, the state prosecutor asked the court to sentence Safarov to life imprisonment, and the rest of the defendants for terms of 15 to 20 years in prison, having found them guilty of terrorism and a number of other crimes.
21 August
Arrested Shiite theologian is accused of treason
Sardar Babayev
A Shiite theologian detained on 19 October, a member of the Spiritual Workers of Azerbaijan Association Sardar Babayev was charged under Article 274 (Treason) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.
On the basis of the submission of the investigative body, the decision of the Sabayil District Court of Baku chose a preventive measure in the form of arrest for a period of 4 months, said his lawyer Javad Javadov.
On 19 October, along with Babayev, four more Shiite theologians were detained. However, nothing is known about their fate so far. All detainees studied in Iran and are considered pro-Iranian religious leaders.