Court refuses to inquire torture of oppositionist Shakhin Gadjiev

Shakhin Gadjiev, a member of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), has stated that he has confessed to drug dealing under torture, but the court rejected the defence's motion to investigate the torture.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Shakhin Gadjiev, a PFPA member, was detained on November 26, 2021, on suspicion of drug dealing. The activist is being persecuted for his political activities, his fellow party members have suggested.

On March 29, the Ganja City Court of Grave Crimes completed the judicial investigation of Shakhin Gadjiev's case. The prosecutor asked to find Gadjiev guilty of large-scale drug dealing and to sentence him to 7.5 years in prison, his advocate, Zabil Gakhramanov, has informed.

Gadjiev refuses to plead guilty, the advocate has stressed. "Shakhin Gadjiev has stated that he had signed the confession protocols of the initial interrogation after the detention, because he was unable to withstand the torture. After his arrest, no forensic drug examination was conducted; and a falsified expert's conclusion dated November 29, 2021, was attached to the case files. The conclusion stated that Gadjiev suffered from drug addiction as a result of heroin abuse. However, in fact, there was no examination. Gadjiev does not even use cigarettes and alcohol," Mr Gakhramanov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

He has noted that the next court session is scheduled for March 31. "Gadjiev's guilt has not been proved; and we'll insist on acquittal," the advocate has promised.

According to his story, the judge has ignored the defence's motion to investigate the application of torture against Gadjiev.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 29, 2022 at 08:54 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.