Defence treats verdict of Niyameddin Akhmedov as unlawful

The verdict to Niyameddin Akhmedov, an activist of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), is not based on reliable proofs; and the defence will seek to cancel it, Zibeida Sadygova, his advocate, has stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Akhmedov was charged with public appeals against the state and illegal circulation of prohibited items. On September 24, it became known that the activist was hospitalized. His health condition has deteriorated sharply; this is due to his long hunger strike, said Niyameddin's father. On October 8, 2021, the court sentenced Niyameddin Akhmedov to 13 years in prison.

"One of these days we'll receive the verdict in our hands; and we'll promptly draw up a complaint and submit it for appeal," Ms Sadygova has added.

In the appeal complaint, the defence will demand to stop the criminal case on exculpatory grounds, said the advocate. According to her version, the charge of financing terrorism was not proved during the judicial investigation. "Investigators failed to clarify how Akhmedov sent the received money to finance terrorist activities; to which 'terrorist grouping' or to what specific persons he transferred the money. That is, in fact, there is no crime event in the case," the advocate has emphasized.

According to her story, the court has also failed to provide any reliable proofs under the article of public appeals directed against the state. "This charge was generally not supported even by formal proofs," Zibeida Sadygova has concluded.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on October 11, 2021 at 09:27 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.