22 August 2012, 13:00
In Azerbaijan, opposition activist Shakhin Gasanli refused of CER
Today, the Baku Court of Appeal (BCA), chaired by Judge Gasan Akhmedov, considered the appeal of Shakhin Gasanli, the head of the organizational division of the People's Front of Azerbaijan on conditional early relief (CER). Gasanli and his lawyer intend to challenge the refusal of CER at the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan.
On March 31, 2011, on the eve of the rally of April 2, Shakhin Gasanli was arrested in the city of Shamkir. On July 21, the Shamkir District Court sentenced him to 2 years of imprisonment. The rally of April 2, 2011, was held to demand democratic reforms; however, the police dispersed the protest action.
In connection with the fact that he served a half of his sentence, Shakhin Gasanli filed an appeal for CER. However, on June 22, the Garadag District Court of Baku dismissed the request. Shakhin Gasanli filed a complaint against the court decision.
On August 22, the Baku Court of Appeal upheld the verdict of the Garadag District Court and also refused Shakhin Gasanli of CER.
Alaif Gasanov, the lawyer of the opposition activist, treats the refusal to release Shakhin Gasanli on CER as "absolutely unfounded and politically motivated."
Author: Faik Medzhid Source: CK correspondent