Azerbaijani religion blogger Rashad Ramazanov was sentenced to three-month detention under Article 234.4.3 (illegal storage or sale of drugs in large quantities), his lawyer Rovshan Shiraliyev told the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS) today (May 17). According to Shiraliyev, although the court decision was announced on May 10, Ramazanov is still held at the Department for Combating Organized Crime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Background: Rashad Ramazanov (Rashad Hagigat Agaaddin) was detained on May 9, near the “20 January” metro station and taken to the Department for Combating Organized Crime. The police reportedly found 9 grams of heroin on the blogger. Ramazanov rejects the charges. Once convicted, the blogger can face confiscation of property and imprisonment for 12 years.
The blogger used his Facebook page to criticize ruling regime on the issues related to freedom and justice (http://on.fb.me/12G0WJE).