A criminal case has been opened against Tofig Gasimov, employee of Salyan based NGO Democracy Assistance under the Article 182 of the Criminal Code (extortion), chairman of the organization Emil Mammadov told the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety today.
“Gasimov had been originally given an administrative detention order for 10 days. Though his term was over, he was not freed, and a criminal case was reportedly opened against him. Lawyer Alayif Hasanov is not allowed to meet him. It is a preplanned and contemplated crime allegations which I think will be used against me. Even during the administrative detention I stated that there were preparations for a criminal case, today’s fact justified my concerns. This case is the retaliation against my criticisms”, said Mammadov.
Background: Tofig Gasimov, civil rights lawyer of the NGO Democracy Assistance, was assaulted and beaten by unknown to him people on April 4, after which he was detained by the police and handed a 10-day administrative detention.