Today the Baku Appeals Court heard the appeal by National Statehood Party Chairman Nemat Panahli and his colleague National Statehood Party Chairman Nemat Panahli and his friend Ceyhun Farzaliyev against the January 10th ruling by Nasimi District Court 10 January 2011 for 2 months pre-trial detention.

The judge dismissed the appeal and upheld the judgment of Nasimi Court.

Nemat Panahli was detained by plain clothed policemen on January 8th and taken to Nasimi District Police Office #21. He was arrested after citizen Eldar Rzayev reported to police that he had been beaten by Panahli and another man on January 7th, in Mirali Gashgay street. A criminal case has been brought against both men under Article 221.3 of the Criminal Code (hooliganism with use of a weapon).

According to his supporters, Panahli was actually arrested for anti-government articles published in the independent press, including the Nota PS, during and after the parliamentary elections.