13 August 2020, 11:52
CER denied to Azerbaijani oppositionist
A court in Baku has refused to satisfy the petition for the conditional early relief (CER) of Orkhan Bakhyshly, an activist of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), who had served half of his prison term. His defence will appeal against this decision.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Orkhan Bakhyshly, accused of illegal drug dealing, was sentenced on September 18, 2018, to six years in prison. Later, the Supreme Court (SC) of Azerbaijan reduced the prison term down to three years.
According to the advocate, Zibeida Sadygova, the colony bosses have again issued a negative characterization to Bakhyshly. The advocate treats these arguments as unjustified.
"The fact that Bakhyshly refuses to plead guilty fits into the provisions of the European Conventions on Human Rights (ECHR). Allegations of his insincerity and arrogance are subjective and should not be considered by the court. Claims of non-engagement in labour are also ungrounded, since there are no provisions that oblige prisoners to work," Ms Sadygova has explained.
"My son has already served 2 years and 3 months in prison. This is a lot for an innocent person," said Kyamalya Ragimli, Orkhan's mother.
Samir Kyazymly, the coordinator of the Alliance for the Defence of Political Freedoms, believes that Bakhyshly is persecuted for political reasons. "He was arrested three days after his speech at the grave of the journalist, Elmar Guseinov, when he blamed Azerbaijani authorities for the murder," Mr Kyazymly has stated.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 12, 2020 at 08:39 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Faik Medjid Source: CK correspondent
