Online activist and admin of the recently closed Facebook page “Let’s Say Stop to Flatterers”, Abdul Abilov was arrested on November 22 on charges of drug trafficking (article 234.4.3 of the Criminal Code). On 23 November the Narimanov district court handed down 3-month pretrial detention sentence to the youth activist, Abilov’s mother told the IRFS today. According to her, Abdul was detained by the employees of the Department for Combating Organized Crime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
“They twisted Abdul’s arms in the yard of our building and then brought him to our flat. As they entered in, my son told me that one of the officers had something in his hand and asked me to watch out and do not let them cast something in. When I asked what he held and demanded him to show it to me, he punched me in the jaw. Then he pointed to an old jacket asking whose it was and when I said that it is Abdul’s, he took the jacket and showed me a powder-like substance saying that he found it on the jacket” said the activist’s mother. She added that together with Abdul his cousin, Ramin Abilov was also handcuffed and detained.
Today Ramin Abilov told IRFS that he was held for up to four hours, during which he heard how Abdul was asked why he had created that Facebook page, which has more than 5,000 followers, and influenced people.
Note that one day after Abdul Abilov’s arrest the said Facebook page was closed.
Abdul Abilov is known for his sharp criticisms against the authorities on his “Let’s Say Stop to Flatterers” Facebook page.