According to the lawyer, the appeal challenged Narimanov District Court’s decision sentencing Nuruzade to a 10-day administrative arrest. The appellate court dismissed the youth activist’s appeal.
The judge justified his decision by referring to Ahsan Nuruzade’s statement in the case file where he had admitted his guilt. Nuruzade replied that he had written his statement as dictated to him by the officers.
Yalchin Imanov intervened by saying that the youth’s statement was the product of psychological pressure exerted on him.
The lawyer intends to apply to the European Court in connection with Nuruzade’s case.
Background: Ahsan Nuruzade was reported missing on 24 January after leaving home to buy cigarettes. At a meeting with his lawyer, he said that he was detained not far from his home by three men in civilian clothing on 24 January and was taken to MOCD and then to Narimanov District Court where he was sentenced to 10-day administrative arrest on charges of disobedience to a legal requirement of the police.
On 26 November 2015, an armed incident occurred between a group of believers and police officers in Nardaran settlement of Baku, 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, the leader of the Muslim Union Movement, and several believers were detained as part of the operation. A criminal case has been launched about the incident by the Prosecutor General’s Office of Azerbaijan Republic.
APFP Deputy Chairman Fuad Gahramanli, who was not present during the incident, was arrested on 8 December 2015. His lawyer Yalchin Imanov said that Fuad Gahramanli was arrested due to his Facebook posts and his case was merged with the criminal case of the people arrested over the Nardaran incidents.
Fuad Gahramanli, who is not a member of the Movement but yet accused of promoting their cause, was charged inciting the people to violence, rhetoric against the state and instigating hatred.
On 25 January 2017, Baku Grave Crimes Court announced the judgment on the case. Under the court’s judgment, Taleh Bagirzade was sentenced to 20 years, Abbas Huseynov to 20 years, Fuad Gahramanli to 10 years, Jabbar Jabbarov to 19 years, Rasim Jabrayilov to 17 years, Ramin Yariyev (who was underage at the time of commission of the crime) to 10 years, and each of Shamil Abdulaliyev, Zakir Mustafayev, Jahad Babakishizade, Abbas Guliyev, Ibrahim Khudaverdiyev, Etibar Ismayilov, Bahruz Asgarov, Ali Nuriyev, Alibala Valiyev, Farhad Balayev and Abbas Taghizade to 14.5 years in prison.