The appeal hearing for the arrested chairman of the Muslim Union Movement Taleh Bagirzade has commenced in Nasimi District Court. The hearing is being chaired by judge Babek Panahov. The appeal was filed in regard to the denial of Bagirzade’s access to his lawyer, the violation of his rights provided for in the Law on Ensuring the Rights and Liberties of the Persons Held in Places of Detention, and his detention in the custody of the Interior Ministry’s Main Organized Crime Department (MOCD) in excess of the 24-hour maximum. Taleh Bagirzade was arrested during the police operation in the Nardaran settlement of Baku on November 26, 2015. He was apprehended together with 13 other people. The Serious Crimes Investigation Department of the Prosecutor General’s Office launched a criminal case against those arrested under articles 120 (deliberate homicide), 214 (terrorism), 220 (mass disorders), 228 (illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, their accessories, supplies and explosives), 233 (organization of actions promoting infringement of the public order or active participation in such actions), 278 (violent seizure and maintenance of power), 283 (incitement of national, racial, social or religious hatred and hostility) and 315 (resistance or application of violence against the representative of authority) of the Criminal Code.
Taleh Bagirzade attended today’s hearing and notified the court that he had been subjected to torture upon arrest.
According to his lawyer, Javad Javadov, Bagirzade has been transferred to the Baku Detention Facility.
The appeal hearing in Nasimi District Court will continue on February 9 at 16.00.
Background: An armed incident occurred between a group of Muslims and policemen in the Nardaran settlement of Baku on November 26, 2015, during an operation conducted by the police. According to official reports, the shootout resulted in the death of six, including two police officers. Taleh Bagirzade and several Muslims were detained as part of the operation. A criminal case has been launched and is being investigated by the Prosecutor General’s Office of Azerbaijan Republic.