On December 2, Baku Court of Appeal rejected the Muslim Union Movement chairman Taleh Bagirzade’s appeal against pretrial detention, his lawyer Javad Javadov said.
The appellate court’s building has been surrounded by police officers. Bagirzade and the men arrested along with him are being charged with deliberate homicide, terrorism, creating mass disorder, illegal possession of arms and ammunition, organizing actions violating public order, creating illegal armed units and groups, making open calls against the state, provoking religious animosity, resistance with application of violence against a government representative and attempting a coup.
Background: An armed incident occurred between a group of Muslims and policemen in the Nardaran settlement of Baku on November 26 during police operation. 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 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.