Yesterday the Head of Azerbaijan Anti-torture Committee Elchin Behbudov met with jailed youth activist Jabbar Savalanli.
Behbudov told IRFS that Savalanli is refuting the drugs charges being brought against him, claiming that the narcotics were planted in his clothes. Behbudov says that Savalanli was subjected to minor physical assault during his police interview.
Jabbar Savalanli was arrested on February 5, in front of his apartment building. He is being charged with possession of narcotics. Sumgayit District Court sentenced him to 2 months of pre-trial detention.
Local human rights organizations and youth organizations believe that the arrest was political and that Savalanli was punished for his opinions critical of the ruling regime.