On 16 January, the Baku Court of Appeal heard an appeal against the extension of the pre-trial custody of Faig Amirli, an assistant to APFP Chairman and the distribution director of Azadliq newspaper. The court dismissed the appeal, Amirli’s lawyer Agil Layijov reported.
Recall that, Nasimi District Court decided to prolong Amirli’s pre-trial and investigation terms for two months on 6 January.
Background: Faig Amirli was arrested on 20 August 2016. On 22 August, Nasimi district Court ordered his pre-trial detention for a period of three months. On 11 November, the court prolonged the detention period for two months.
Amirli is charged under Articles 283-2 (instigation of ethnic, racial and religious hostility) and 168.1 (violating public order or harming the health of citizens under the pretext of propagating a religion and performing religious rites) of the Criminal Code. The indictment has portrayed him as an imam affiliated with Fetullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric who is accused of sponsoring the failed coup attempt in Turkey on 15 July 2016.
The publication of Azadliq newspaper ceased following Amirli’s arrest.