Azerbaijan: six opposition activists detained on April 2 convicted

The Sabail District Court of Baku has announced its sentence to six oppositionists accused of violating public order during the unsanctioned rally on April 2. The defendants were given from 1.5 to 3 years of imprisonment.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the rally was held on April 2 by the Civil Movement for Democracy" Public Chamber" with a demand of democratic reforms; however, the police dispersed the rally having explained their actions by the absence of permit of the city authorities.

In protest against the verdict the defendants and their supporters first sang the anthem of Azerbaijan and then chanted: "Resign!" and "Freedom!" The chants were picked up by supporters outside, who were about 100 in number; their protest turned into a spontaneous rally in front of the courthouse. The crowd accompanied the convicts on their way to the prison car. Despite the attempts of the police to disperse the crowd, the spontaneous protest action lasted for about 20 minutes, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

"We'll pass all the national instances, and, if necessary, will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. This case is 'stitched with white threads', the fabrication of charges is obvious," said Yalcin Imanov, Israfilov's advocate.

According to the conclusions of the investigation, which were supported by the court, during the event the defendants caused damage by breaking a window and crumpling the door of the bus. However, the defendants objected saying that the bus was full of opposition activists detained at the beginning of the rally, who were suffocating from the tear gas injected inside the bus.