On October 20, Narimanov District Court rejected the petition to release Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP) Presidium member Mammad Ibrahim from detention, and to replace his sentence with house arrest. The motion was filed by Ibrahim’s lawyer Yalchin Imanov.
During the proceedings, it also emerged that Mammad Ibrahim’s previous charge under Article 221.1 of the Criminal Code has been replaced by a new one, under Article 221.2.2.
“We filed a motion to replace the pre-trial detention measure applied to Mammad Ibrahim with house arrest. Although there were sufficient grounds to grant the motion, the judge denied the motion. We will appeal this decision. The investigator told us that they have received new materials allegedly proving that Ibrahim committed hooliganism against a person named Oruj, who was protecting public order. As a result, Ibrahim’s action has been reclassified as an offence under Article 221.2.2,” said Yalchin Imanov.
Background: Mammad Ibrahim was detained by the police on 30 September on the basis of the complaint made by Mikayil Guliyev. He was taken to the Branch #18 of the Narimanov District Police Office, where his statement was taken and he was released. However, Ibrahim was again detained and taken to Narimanov District Police Office, where he was told that he was being held as a suspect. A criminal case has been initiated against him under Article 221.1 (hooliganism) of the Criminal Code.