LIST OF POLITICAL PRISONERS

31/08/2019

LIST OF POLITICAL PRISONERS

Union for the Freedom for Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan

On 29 August 2019
117 persons

This list consists of 8 groups and includes 117 people:

Group № 1 JOURNALISTS AND BLOGGERS – 6 persons
Group № 2 HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS – 1 person
Group № 3 MEMBERS OF OPPOSITION PARTIES AND MOVEMENTS – 6 persons
Group № 4 VICTIMS OF CRIMES IN THE MNS – 3 persons
Group № 5 PEASEFULL BELIVERS – 55 persons
Group № 6 HOSTAGES – 1 person
Group № 7 SENTENCED OF “GANJA CASE” – 31 persons
Group № 8 LIFE TERM SENTENCED – 14 persons

About the list of authors:

Leyla Yunus (former “prisoner of conscience”), Director of the Institute for Peace and Democracy
E-mail: yunus.arif.leyla@gmail.com
Skype: arif.yunusov1
Tel.: +31 611 43 59 90
Elshan Hasanov (former “prisoner of conscience”), Head of the Public Union “Center for Monitoring Political Prisoners”
E-mail: elsanhesenov@gmail.com
Tel.: +99 4556109144

GROUP № 1

JOURNALISTS AND BLOGGERS – 6 persons

1. Araz Faiq oglu Quliyev – the Chief Editor of www.xeber44.com website

Arrest: September 08, 2012
Charge: Articles 228.1 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies (smooth-bore hunting weapon and supplies thereof excluded) or explosives); 233 (organizing actions causing violation of public order or active participation in such actions); 283.1 (Incitement of national, racial, social or religious hatred and hostility, humiliation of national dignity, as well as restriction of citizens’ rights, or establishment of the superiority of citizens on the basis of their national, racial or religious background, committed publicly or through use of mass media), 315.2 (resistance or violence against representative of authority) and 324 (Insulting national flag or emblem of the Republic of Azerbaijan) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on April 05, 2013 the Lankaran Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 8 years in prison
Place of detention: Gobustan Closed Prison

Conclusion:
The detention, investigation and trial took place with numerous violations of the legislation of Azerbaijan and international law. During the investigation, torture and other unlawful methods were used. Punished for his criticism of the policy of the authorities in the religious sphere.

2. Elchin Ismayilli – the Chief Editor of www.kent.info website

Arrest: February 17, 2017
Charge: Articles 182 (Extortion) and 308 (Abusing official powers) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on September 18, 2017 the Shaki District Court sentenced to 9 years in prison
Judge: Rashid Huseynov

Conclusion:
Elchin Ismayilli is a member of the Supreme Council of the Party of the Popular Front of Azerbaijan (PFPA), he wrote critical articles on corruption, and the arbitrariness of local authorities.
In 2013, he covered the events in Ismayilli (the protests of local residents were suppressed by the police). E. Ismayilli was convicted for his professional activities.
Elchin Ismayilli was prosecuted for critical publications about officials of the Ismayilli district. Before the detention, E. Ismayilli wrote a lot about the opening of a new poultry and livestock complex in Ismayilli in 2013-2014, but this did not happen. Also, E. Ismayilli wrote about lawlessness, unresolved social problems, violation of the rights of the residents of the district. On February 15, 2017 E. Ismayilli suddenly disappeared and 2 days did not have any news about him from his relatives. And only on February 17 the family found out that he was being held in a police station and a criminal case was brought against him.

3. Afgan Sabir oglu Mukhtarli – journalist, former employee of Baku Office of Radio Liberty

Arrested: On May 29, 2017 A. Mukhtarli was kidnapped in Tbilisi and transferred from Georgia to Azerbaijan
Charge: Articles 206.1 (Smuggling, is moving large amount through customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic of goods or other subjects, except for ones which provided in article); 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority, committed with violence dangerous to life or health) and 318.1 (Illegal crossing border of the Azerbaijan Republic without established documents or outside of check point of frontier) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: On January 12, 2018 the Balakan District Court sentenced to 6 years in prison
Place of detention: Prison No. 16

Conclusion:
Afgan Mukhtarli lived for more than two years in Georgia. He left there after Baku Office of Radio Liberty was shut down. Afgan Mukhtarli was actively participating in actions against authorities of Azerbaijan, which were held in Tbilisi. He is also the author of research articles on corruption in the power structures in Azerbaijan.
On May 31, 2017, during the hearing at Sabayil District Court, A. Mukhtarli told how he was kidnapped at the centre of Tbilisi on May 29, pushed inside the car, and taken from Georgia to Azerbaijan. According to his testimonies, he was kidnapped by people who spoke in Georgian language. The bag was put on his head. In such way, he was not able to see his kidnappers, but could certainly hear them.
After few hours of driving, his kidnappers passed Mukhtarli in to the hands of people who spoke in Azeri language. A. Mukhtarli was severely beaten, there were signs of beatings and tortures on his face and body. 10 thousands euros were put inside his pocket. On June 6, 2017, Baku Court of Appeal chaired by Judge Ilqar Murguzov dismissed the complaint on arrest of journalist A. Mukhtarli.
The criminal case against the journalist was forwarded from State Border Service to the Investigation Department for Grave Crimes of the General Prosecutor’s Office. Lawyer Osman Kazimov indicated that the review of the complaint on arrest in Baku Court of Appeal was just a formality.
The defence applied with the request to attract video recordings from the camera located at Balakan region checkpoint, which would inevitably confirm the transfer of the journalist through this crossing, and not detaining him at the wrong location. However, the judge dismissed all applications.
The ombudsman, civil society activists of Georgia are demanding the full investigation of the involvement of Georgian law enforcement agencies in the kidnapping of A. Mukhtarli. US and EU called for the investigation of kidnapping of A. Mukhtarli and demanded his release.
The European Parliament passed a resolution on June 15, 2017 which “strong condemns the abduction of Afgan Mukhtarli in Tbilisi and his subsequent arbitrary detention in Baku” and “considers this a serious violation of human rights and condemns this grave act of breach of law”.

4. Ziya Alirza oglu Asadli – journalist of newspaper Azadliq

Arrested: September 05, 2017
Charge: Article 221.3 (Hooliganism committed with the application of a weapons or subjects used as the weapon) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: On September 07, 2018 the Bilasuvar District Court sentenced to 3 years in prison

Conclusion:
Employee of Azadliq newspaper disseminated video, criticising local government.
See:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7fRRLjPznk; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqDBqC2vo3I; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJLL44cMmEI
According to official version of the charge, Ziya Asadli committed act of hooliganism at the local cafe. However, base on the local’s testimonies, given cafe belongs to the employee of the local police – Major Vaqif and Asadli never visited this cafe. In his testimonies, Ziya Asadli, indicated that on April 19, he was passing by the street near this cafe, and the employee of the cafe attacked him and beat him. Ziya Asadli called to Police (102) and informed police about the attack. Nevertheless, he was charged himself under the article of hooliganism.
Ziya Asadli is handicap of second degree and father of two kids.

5. Ikram Rafiq oglu Rahimov – the Chief Editor of www.realliq.info website

Arrested: October 26, 2018
Charge: Articles 182.2.1 (Extortion, is requirement to transfer another’s property or right on property or commitment of other actions which is admitted as in property nature under threat of application of violence, distribution of data, dishonoring a victim or his close relatives, as well as by threat of destruction of property belonging to them committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons) and 182.2.2 (Extortion, is requirement to transfer another’s property or right on property or commitment of other actions which is admitted as in property nature under threat of application of violence, distribution of data, dishonoring a victim or his close relatives, as well as by threat of destruction of property belonging to them committed repeatedly) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic .
Sentence: On June 12, 2019 the Baku Court on Grave Crimes sentenced to 5 years and 6 months in prison

Conclusion: On October 27, 2018 the Sabayil District Court of Baku City chose towards him preventive in form of arrest for the period of 2 months. On November 01, 2018 the Baku Court of Appeal dismissed the complaint on his arrest Place of detention: Detention Center of the State Security Service of Azerbaijan Conclusion: On October 26, 2018 Ikram Rahimov was detained by employees of the State Security Service (SSS). Prior to that, he had managed to inform Turan Agency that his car was being pursued by unknown persons. At the trial I. Rahimov stated that he did not commit a crime and the decision to arrest him illegally. He said that his arrest is the order of the assistant to the President Ali Hasanov. “When I was arrested, the first questions were about Ali Hasanov, there were asked me why I wrote an open letter to Hasanov”, – the journalist said.
Previously, these sites of arrested journalist Ikram Rahimov are blocked without any warning – (realliq.az, realliqinfo.org, realinfo.az, realliqinfo.com and realliqinfo.az) On November 25, 2016 the Sumgayit City Court sentenced Ikram Rahimov to a one-year imprisonment for libel. On 1 March 01, 2017 the Sumgayit Court of Appeal mitigating their sentences to 9 months of corrective labour. Deemed to have served out his sentences, Rahimov was released in the courtroom.

6. Polad Aslanov – the Chief Editor of www.xeberman.com and www.press-az.com websites

Arrested: June 12, 2019
Charge: article 274 (treason to the state) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence : On June 14, 2019 the Sabayil District Court of Baku City chose towards him preventive in form of arrest for the period of 4 months

Conclusion: Aslanov pleaded not guilty and linked the arrest to his journalistic activities, since in his articles he wrote and mentioned the names of the MNS officers (now the State Security Service) who take bribes from Azerbaijani pilgrims traveling to holy places when they cross the border.
Place of detention: Distension Center of State Security Service

GROUP № 2

Human rights defenders – 1 person

7. Aliabbas Faxraddin oglu Rustamov – lawyer

Arrested: June 28, 2014
Charge: Article 312.2 (The presentation of a bribe to official for commitment of obviously illegal actions (inaction) by him or repeated presentation of a bribe) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: On November 06, 2015 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 7 years in jail. Baku Court of Appeal upheld the sentence on August 18, 2016. Supreme Court on February 07, 2017 with its decision shortened the prison term and appointed 6 years of imprisonment
Judge: Rahib Salmanov
Place of detention: Prison No.10

Conclusion:
Aliabbas Rustamov is a member of the lawyer collegium, director of human rights organisation Yasavul.
Before his arrest, Rustamov sharply criticised government policy on his Facebook page. During presidential elections in 2013, he actively supported the candidate from opposition Jamil Hasanli – chairman of the National Council of Democratic Forces of Azerbaijan. A. Rustamov participated in the opposition rallies. After elections, he continued to participate in the meetings of NCDF.
On March 17, 2014, he published in all newspapers, open letter to Ilham Aliyev, where he criticised government officials for stealing millions from the nation.

GROUP № 3
Members of opposition parties and movements – 6 persons

8. Asif Qambar oglu Yusifli – advisor of chairman of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), member of the Board of the PFPA

Arrested: December 25, 2014
Charge: Articles 178.2.4 (Swindle, is maintaining another persons property or buying another persons property by a deceit or breach of confidence committed with causing damage in the significant size) and 320.1 (Fake of certificate or other official document giving the rights or releasing from duties, with a view of its use or selling of such document, as well as manufacturing in same purposes or selling of counterfeit state awards of the Azerbaijan Republic, stamps, seals, forms) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: On July 31, 2015 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 7 years and 6 months in prison. On October 9, 2015 the Court of Appeal confirmed the verdict. Supreme Court diminished the term to 6 years in prison
Judge: Ali Seyfaliyev
Place of detention: Prison No.6

Conclusion:
Asif Yusifli is an advisor of chairman of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan and the member of board this party. On the day of his arrest, A. Yusifli drove to the office of the Party in the car that belonged to the chairman of Narimanov Branch of the PFPA. On his way back, the driver went to the shop to buy some cigarettes, and when he returned, he did not find A. Yusifli in the car. Later, it became known that A. Yusifli was detained by the employees of the Main Department for organised crimes by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
A. Yusifli is handicapped and not long before his arrest, he had operation on his leg. He has two young children. One of his kids is suffering from severe diabetes.
A. Yusifli was arrested without sanctions, with brutal violations of law. His guilt was not proven during the trial.

9. Fuad Zafar oglu Ahmedli – the head of the Youth Committee of Khatai District Office of the PFPA

Arrested: August 18, 2016
Charge: Article 302.1 (Implementation operative – search actions by not authorized persons, as well as implementation of these actions by authorized persons, but without grounds provided by the legislation, entailed essential infringement of rights and interests of person protected by the law) and 308.1 (Abusing official powers, that is deliberate, contrary to interests of service, use by the official of service powers from self-interest or other personal interest, causing essential harm to rights and legitimate interests of citizens or organizations or protected by law interests of a society or state) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: On July 16, 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court finished the process on the case of Fuad Ahmedli. The court re-qualified the charges under article 308.2 (Abusing official powers entailed heavy consequences) to the first paragraph of this article (Abusing official powers without aggravating circumstances), and issued a sentence of 4 years in prison
Judge: Fikrat Qaribov

Conclusion:
F. Ahmedli is the head of the Youth Committee of Khatai District Office of the PFPA. He constantly posted critical articles at social networks about the policy of Ilham Aliyev. In 2015, F. Ahmedli was twice arrested for participating in opposition rallies for 25 and 10 days.
After the failed coup in Turkey, on July 15, 2016, Azerbaijan authorities started arresting opposition activists under the bogus charge of having connection with so-called Gulen cemaati (Gulen’s community) – followers of Fathullah Gulen. F. Ahmedli was among them.
During unauthorises search at Ahmedli’s house, the brochures and statements of Fathullah Gulen, including documents allegedly confirming the membership to Gulen’s community were found. Relatives found out about his arrest only 10th day.
The lawyer was only allowed to see him on the 10th day of his arrest at Detention Centre of the State Security Service (former Ministry of National Security). Then he was transferred to Detention Center in Kyurdakhani.

10. Orhan Bakhyshly – member of Youth Committee of the PFPA and Vice-Chairman of Khatai branch of Youth Committee of PFPA

Arrested: May 07, 2018
Charges: Article 234.4.3 (Illegal manufacturing, purchase, storage, transportation, transfer or selling of narcotics, psychotropic substances, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons or organized group in large amount) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: On September 18, 2018 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 6 years in prison.
Judge: Mahmud Agalarov

Conclusion:
Orhan Bakhyshly is a member of Youth Committee of the PFPA and deputy chairman of the Khatai branch of PFPA Youth Committee. Chairman of Khatai department Fuad Ahmedli is currently political prisoner. Fuad Ahmedli was arrested on December 25, 2015. On June 16, 2017, Baku City Court on Grave crimes sentenced him to 4 years in prison). Orhan Bakhyshly leaded active political and social life. He often criticised policy of authorities during different events, and at social networks. He was also responsible for organising various PFPA events.
On the eve of March 31, 2018 rally, organised by National Council of Democratic Forces of Azerbaijan, several members of PFPA were brought to administrative responsibilities: Abdullah Mahmudov to 30 days (on March 26, 2018), Ayaz Qasimov to 15 days (on March 29, 2018), Orhan Bakhyshly to 30 days (on March 27, 2018). All the detainees were accused of committing the offence under Article 535.1. (insubordination to legal demands of police) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic on administrative violation. Young activists who organised the rally were arrested on the eve of the rally.
On May 3 2018, on the World Press Freedom Day, during his speech at the grave of killed journalist Elmar Huseynov O. Bakhyshly accused Azerbaijani authorities in his murder. Already on May 7, he was arrested. Bakhyshly denies the charges, indicating that he does not even smoke. According to activist, drugs were planted to him by police officers.

11. Saleh Rustamov – former head of the executive authority of Gadabay District in 1992-1993, during the rule of Popular Front of Azerbaijan

Arrested: May 08, 2018
Charge: Article 234.4.3 (Illegal manufacturing, purchase, storage, transportation, transfer or selling of narcotics, psychotropic substances, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons or organized group in large amount) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: On February 27, 2019 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 7 years and 3 months in prison.
Place of detention: Detention Center in Kyurdakhani

12. Aqil Maharramov – the member of Board of the PFPA

Arrested: May 25, 2018
Charge: Articles 192.2.3 (Illegal business committed with extraction of income in the significant size by organized group); 193-1.3.1 and 193-1.3.2 (Legalization of money or other property obtained by crime committed in the large size) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic.
On May 25, court chose preventive measure towards A. Maharramov in form of arrest for the period of 4 months. On June 01, 2018 the Baku Court of Appeal dismissed the complaint on his arrest.
Sentence: On February 27, 2019 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 4 years in prison
Place of detention: Detention Center in Kyurdakhani

13. Babak Hasanov – activist of the PFPA

Arrested: May 25, 2018
Charge: Articles 192.2.3 (Illegal business committed with extraction of income in the significant size by organized group); 193-1.3.1 and 193-1.3.2 (Legalization of money or other property obtained by crime committed in the large size) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
On May 25, 2018 court chose preventive measure towards B. Hasanov in form of arrest for the period of 4 months. On May 31, 2018 the Baku Court of Appeal dismissed the complaint on his arrest
Sentence: On February 27, 2019 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 3 years in prison
Place of detention: Detention Center in Kyurdakhani

Conclusion:
Saleh Rustamov was the head of the executive authority of Gadabay District in 1992-1993, during the rule of the Popular Front of Azerbaijan. He lived in Russia for the last 20 years. He visited Azerbaijan once in a year. On May 08, while retuning home, he was detained in Shamkir District. He was charged in drug trafficking. On May 10, his nephew, Vidadi Rustamov was arrested under same charge.
After 2014-2015 events, independent non-governmental organisations and the representatives of civil society in Azerbaijan became deprived of any possibility to receive financial assistance from foreign donors.
Azerbaijan authorities started persecuting Azerbaijanis who live abroad, and who provide support to the opposition and political prisoners in the country. Since the beginning of May 2018, the arrests of Azerbaijani activists living abroad, but aiding financially, sending donations to Azerbaijan, trying to support with medicine and products the political prisoners – began. There are tenth of people in prison who are not receiving food parcels. Also were arrested Agil Maharramov, Babak Hasanov….

GROUP № 4
Victims of crime in the MNS – 3 persons

14. Said Alakbar oglu Dadashbeyli

Date of arrest: January 13, 2007
Charge: Articles 28.2 (The criminal liability shall be instituted only for preparation of minor serious and especially serious crimes); 180.3.1 (The robbery, is plunder of another persons property committed by organized group); 204.3.1 (Manufacturing with a view of selling, and also selling of counterfeit money, state securities either foreign currency, or securities in foreign currency committed by organized group); 204.3.2 (Manufacturing with a view of selling, and also selling of counterfeit money, state securities either foreign currency, or securities in foreign currency committed in the large amount); 218.1 (Creation of criminal community (criminal organization) for commitment minor serious or serious crimes, as well as a management of such community (organization) or structural divisions included to it, and also creation of organizers association, heads or other representatives of the organized groups with a view of plans development and conditions for commitment of minor serious or serious crimes); 228.1 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation or carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies (except for the smooth-bore hunting weapon and ammunition to it), explosives); 228.4 (Illegal acquisition, selling or carrying of gas weapon, cold steel, including throwing weapon, except for districts where carrying of a cold steel is an accessory of a national suit or connected to hunting); 234.1 (Illegal purchase or storage without a purpose of selling of narcotics or psychotropic substances in a quantity (amount) exceeding necessary for personal consumption); 274 (High treason, that is, deliberate action committed by a citizen of the Azerbaijan Republic to the detriment of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, state security or defensibility of the Azerbaijan Republic: changeover to enemy side, espionage, distribution of state secrets to foreign state, rendering assistance to a foreign state, foreign organization or their representatives resulting in hostile activity against the Azerbaijan Republic) and 278 (Violent capture power or violent deduction power) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: On December 10, 2007 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 14 years in prison
Judge: Anvar Seyidov
Place of detention: Prison No. 15

15. Jeyhun Saleh oglu Aliyev

Date of arrest: January 14, 2007
Charge: Articles 28.2 (The criminal liability shall be instituted only for preparation of minor serious and especially serious crimes); 180.3.1 (The robbery, is plunder of another persons property committed by organized group); 218.2. (Participation in criminal community (criminal organization) or in association of organizers, heads or other representatives of the organized groups); 228.1 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation or carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies (except for the smooth-bore hunting weapon and ammunition to it), explosives); 274 (High treason, that is, deliberate action committed by a citizen of the Azerbaijan Republic to the detriment of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, state security or defensibility of the Azerbaijan Republic: changeover to enemy side, espionage, distribution of state secrets to foreign state, rendering assistance to a foreign state, foreign organization or their representatives resulting in hostile activity against the Azerbaijan Republic) and 278 (Violent capture power or violent deduction power) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: On December 10, 2007 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 14 years in prison
Judge: Anvar Seyidov
Place of detention: Prison No. 7

16. Jahangir Ramiz oglu Karimov

Date of arrest: January 15, 2007
Charge: Articles 28.2 (The criminal liability shall be instituted only for preparation of minor serious and especially serious crimes); 180.3.1 (The robbery, is plunder of another persons property committed by organized group); 204.3.1 (Manufacturing with a view of selling, and also selling of counterfeit money, state securities either foreign currency, or securities in foreign currency committed by organized group); 204.3.2 (Manufacturing with a view of selling, and also selling of counterfeit money, state securities either foreign currency, or securities in foreign currency committed in the large amount); 218.2. (Participation in criminal community (criminal organization) or in association of organizers, heads or other representatives of the organized groups); 228.1 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation or carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies (except for the smooth-bore hunting weapon and ammunition to it), explosives); 274 (High treason, that is, deliberate action committed by a citizen of the Azerbaijan Republic to the detriment of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, state security or defensibility of the Azerbaijan Republic: changeover to enemy side, espionage, distribution of state secrets to foreign state, rendering assistance to a foreign state, foreign organization or their representatives resulting in hostile activity against the Azerbaijan Republic) and 278 (Violent capture power or violent deduction power) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: On December 10, 2018 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 14 years in prison
Judge: Anvar Seyidov
Place of detention: Prison No. 1

Conclusion:
On January 13-18, 2007 about 30 people were arrested in Baku in the Said Dadashbeyli case. Some of the detainees were released later under the condition to witness against the rest 11 people being kept in the National Security Ministry (MNS). The law was grossly offended already at the start of the arrest of the accused: without a court ruling, without presence of the very accused and without arrest witnesses independent from the special services, the MNS officers were breaking into the apartments of the accused and were openly planting the arms and other “evidence” despite the protesting and outraged relatives. All this grossly violates Article 125 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. The first days after the arrest, none of the arrested was offered an opportunity of employing counsel. During the first seven months of the investigation none of them was delivered to court to bring charges against, to issue an arrest warrant and pass a court decision on placement in custody for the period of the investigation. This also shows the gross violation of the law. The accused were for the first time delivered to court, to the first session of the Grave Crimes Court only on September 17, 2007, in other words 8 months after the arrest! All the investigation long and before the trial, from January 13 to December 11, 2007, the accused were put into solitary cells of the MNS and tortured. They were frequently beaten, deprived of sleep, water and food; psychotropic medication was used against them; the MNS threatened to use violence against their family members if they refused to confess as the investigation wanted. In March 2007 one of them, Emin Mammadov, died of brutal torture. His death was medically certified of the causes. During several months his parents and the public were not informed about his death. His family was threatened with new repressions should they turn to human rights defenders and even get the public to question the whereabouts of killed Emin Mammadov. When the lawyer inquired about his whereabouts of investigated E. Mammadov, the MNS replied that they did not know anything about this person – he was allegedly never taken to the MNS. Moreover, the name of Emin Mammadov was never mentioned during the court hearings. He disappeared completely for the court and the public. The trial was closed. Even the relatives were not allowed in! But according to Article 200 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of Azerbaijan, a court hearing can be closed and non-public when a state secret is available. But the indictment does not mention a state secret, nor does it refer to Article 200 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of Azerbaijan to ground the closed hearing. Therefore, the closed hearing of the case was illegal and added to gross violation of law. In the course of the trial, the accused flatly denied all the charges, told about the tortures and other abusive treatment they suffered. As it turned out during the trial, many of the accused of creating a underground terrorist organization in fact did not even know each other! None of the charges was proved. But the trial, however, ended in the victory of the prosecution.

GROUP № 5

BELIVERS – 55 persons

Members of the Islamic Party arrested together with the chairman of the party Movsum Samadov – 7 people

17. Movsum Mardan oglu Samadov – Chairman of the Islamic Party of Azerbaijan

Date of arrest: January 07, 2011
Charge: Articles 28 (Preparation to a crime); 214.2.1 (Preparation of terrorism, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community/organization); 214.2.3 (Preparation of terrorism, committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon); 228.3 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies or explosives, committed by organized group) and 278 (Violent capture power or violent deduction power) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on October 07, 2011 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 12 years in
prison
Judge: Eldar Ismayilov
Place of detention: Gobustan Closed Prison

Conclusion:
The Islamic Party of Azerbaijan (IPA) was founded in 1991 in Baku and registered in 1992. Although the IPA’s registration was revoked in 1995 by the Supreme Court, its activity was not actually banned. Thus the party is still operating without registration. When Movsum Samadov was elected as the Party Chairman in 2007, the party applied to the Ministry of Justice for registration. The Ministry did not register the party.
At the IPA General Assembly held on January 02, 2011, Samadov made a speech strongly criticizing President Aliyev for the social situation in the country. In his speech, Samadov referred to articles from the Washington Post and the New York Times about villas in Dubai reportedly owned by the president and his son, adding that the wealth of the Azerbaijani people and state had been stolen; there were no jobs for Azerbaijani youth despite the country’s great wealth; injustice and bribery ruled in the country; the money spent on the Flower Festival to celebrate the birthday of former President Heydar Aliyev was essentially stolen from the people; and idolatry was promoted in the country by idolizing Heydar Aliyev. Samadov’s speech went viral on social media networks, particularly on YouTube, leading to broad discussions.
Five days after this speech was made, on January 07, 2011, Samadov and many of his fellows were arrested and charged in preparation of a terrorist act and a coup. However, in court Movsum Samadov and other arrested believers categorically rejected all charges and stated that law enforcement officials planted them weapons during the arrest, then tortured during the investigation. During the trial the prosecution had failed to prove the fact of preparation of terrorist act and a coup. But the court nevertheless agreed with the arguments of the prosecution and sentenced to large period of imprisonment.

18. Faramiz Zeynal oglu Abbasov – theologian

Date of arrest: January 24, 2011
Charge: Articles 28 (Preparation to a crime); 214.2.1 (Preparation of terrorism, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community/organization); 214.2.3 (Preparation of terrorism, committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon); 228.3 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies or explosives, committed by organized group) and 278 (Violent capture power or violent deduction power) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on October 07, 2011 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 11 years in prison
Judge: Eldar Ismayilov
Place of detention: Prison No. 7

Conclusion:
The theologian Faramiz Abbasov passed through the same trumped-up case with Movsum Samadov.

19. Ruhulla Hojatullah oglu Axundzada – member of the IPA

Date of arrest: January 21, 2011
Charge: Articles 28 (Preparation to a crime); 214.2.1 (Preparation of terrorism, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community/organization); 214.2.3 (Preparation of terrorism, committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon); 228.3 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies or explosives, committed by organized group) and 278 (Violent capture power or violent deduction power) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on October 07, 2011 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 11 years and 6 months in prison
Judge: Eldar Ismayilov
Place of detention: Prison No. 15

Conclusion:
Ruhulla Axundzada passed through the same trumped-up case with Movsum Samadov

20. Firdovsi Teymur oglu Mammadrzayev – member of the IPA

Date of arrest: January 11, 2011
Charge: Articles 28 (Preparation to a crime); 214.2.1 (Preparation of terrorism, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community/organization); 214.2.3 (Preparation of terrorism, committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon) and 228.3 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies or explosives, committed by organized group) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic.
Sentence: on October 07, 2011 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 10 years in prison
Judge: Eldar Ismayilov
Place of detention: Prison No. 1

Conclusion:
Firdovsi Mammadrzayev passed through the same trumped-up case with Movsum Samadov.

21. Dayanat Alasgar oglu Samadov – cousin of the chairman of the IPA

Date of arrest: January 08, 2011
Charge: Articles 28 (Preparation to a crime); 214.2.1 (Preparation of terrorism, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community/organization); 214.2.3 (Preparation of terrorism, committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon); 228.3 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies or explosives, committed by organized group) and 278 (Violent capture power or violent deduction power) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on October 07, 2011 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 11 years in prison
Judge: Eldar Ismayilov
Place of detention: Prison No. 12

Conclusion:
Dayanat Samadov also passed through the same trumped-up case with Movsum Samadov.

22. Abgul Neymat oglu Suleymanov – head of the religious community Jafari Hayat (Jafar’s Life)

Date of arrest: August 12, 2011
Charge: Articles 228.1 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation or carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies (except for the smooth-bore hunting weapon and ammunition to it), explosives); 233 (Organization of actions promoting infringement of a social order or active participation in such actions); 234.1 (Illegal purchase or storage without a purpose of selling of narcotics or psychotropic substances in a quantity (amount) exceeding necessary for personal consumption) and 283.2.1 (Excitation of national, racial or religious hostility with application of violence or with threat of its application) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on August 10, 2012 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 11 years in prison
Judge: Mayil Bayramov
Place of detention: Prison No. 11

Conclusion:
Abgul Suleymanov is well known in Azerbaijan as a religious activist and influential religious figure. Abgul Suleymanov, who was teaching the Koran and Islamic religion since 2001 on a mobile basis, helped to establish the “National Moral Values” Public Union in 2005.
On 12 August 2011, the Ministry of National Security (MNS) and the Prosecutor General’s Office released a joint statement saying Suleymanov and journalist Ramin Jahangir oglu Bayramov and IPA member Arif Gulsuvar oglu Ganiyev who were arrested together with him were suspected of assisting a foreign state and its delegates in conducting enmity against Azerbaijan, as well as inciting mass disorders and violation of public safety, and encouraging people for disobedience. The statement went on to say that Suleymanov, with financial support from the Baku-based Cultural Center of the Islamic Republic of Iran, created and led a radical religious group called “Jafari” without official state registration.
All three were sentenced to pre-trial detention. Although they were subject to a joint investigation, their trials were conducted separately, in conflict with the statement released on 12 August. The district courts sentenced Ramin Bayramov and Arif Ganiyev to 1.5 years in jail (Ramin Bayramov was recognized by Amnesty International as a prisoner of conscience; both men have since been released). But Suleymanov’s case was heard by the Baku Court of Grave Crimes. The trial started in August 2012. The last decision about Suleymanov’s pre-trial detention was issued by the Sabayil District Court on 6 April 2012. The decision stated that his pre-trial detention was extended to 11 May 2012. This clearly showed that Suleymanov was detained in prison for three months (from May to August 2012) illegally, that is, without a court decision.
During the investigation and at the trial Abgul Suleymanov stated about the falsification of the charges against him and indicated that weapons and drugs were planted by police officers. Abgul Suleymanov is a victim of political repressions against popular religious figures.

23. Inqlab Ahadli – – deputy of chairman of the IPA

Date of arrest: January 28, 2016
Charge: Article 274 (High treason, that is, deliberate action committed by a citizen of the Azerbaijan Republic to the detriment of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, state security or defensibility of the Azerbaijan Republic: changeover to enemy side, espionage, distribution of state secrets to foreign state, rendering assistance to a foreign state, foreign organization or their representatives resulting in hostile activity against the Azerbaijan Republic) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: The trial was being conducted in secret. On 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 5 years in prison
Judge: Ahmad Quliyev

Conclusion:
Inqlab Ahadli – deputy of chairman of the IPA, headed the Committee for the protection of the chairman of the IPA Movsum Samedov, published an appeal on ordered nature of M. Samedov’s sentence.
He was arrested by intelligence officers in his own house. The investigation and trial was being conducted in secret.
Official information: he is accused in secret collusion with foreign intelligence services since 2011 and in this regard in 2016 a criminal case was opened under Article 274 of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Believers who were arrested in the same case with the journalist Araz Guliyev in Masally District – 2 people and theologian

24. Rza Gorkhmaz oglu Agali

Date of arrest: September 08, 2012
Charge: Articles 228.1 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation or carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies (except for the smooth-bore hunting weapon and ammunition to it), explosives); 233 (Organization of actions promoting infringement of a social order or active participation in such actions); 283.1 (The actions directed on excitation of national, racial or religious hostility, humiliation of national advantage, as well as actions directed on restriction of citizens rights, or establishment of the superiority of citizens on the basis of their national or racial belonging, creeds committed publicly or with use of mass media); 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority, committed with violence dangerous to life or health) and 324 (Violation of the National Flag or State Emblem of the Azerbaijan Republic) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: On April 05, 2013 the Lankaran Court of Grave Crimes sentenced to 7 years in prison. Shirvan Court of Appeal upheld this ruling on January 09, 2014
Place of detention: Treatment Facility No. 3 for prisoners with tuberculosis

25. Ziya Ibrahim oglu Tahirov

Conclusion:
Together with the journalist Araz Quliyev (in the list at No. 2) on September 08, 2012 during the action of believers in Masally City was arrested also 7 believers. First they were accused of hooliganism (Article 221.2 of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan). Subsequently new articles were added: 233 (Organization of actions promoting infringement of a social order or active participation in such actions); 283.1 (The actions directed on excitation of national, racial or religious hostility, humiliation of national advantage, as well as actions directed on restriction of citizens rights, or establishment of the superiority of citizens on the basis of their national or racial belonging, creeds committed publicly or with use of mass media); 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority, committed with violence dangerous to life or health) and 324 (Violation of the National Flag or State Emblem of the Azerbaijan Republic) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic. In addition, some were accused with drug possession.
On April 05, 2013 the Lankaran Court of Grave Crimes found all of them guilty and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment. The guilt of defendants under these articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan was not proven neither during the investigation nor in the court.

26. Elshan Mustafaoglu – scholar and theologian

Date of arrest: December 17, 2014
Charge: Article 274 (High treason, that is, deliberate action committed by a citizen of the Azerbaijan Republic to the detriment of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, state security or defensibility of the Azerbaijan Republic: changeover to enemy side, espionage, distribution of state secrets to foreign state, rendering assistance to a foreign state, foreign organization or their representatives resulting in hostile activity against the Azerbaijan Republic) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on December 30, 2016 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 10 years in prison
Place of detention: Prison No. 1

Conclusion:
Doctor (Ph.D.) Elshan Mustafaoglu worked in 2006-2007 on Public TV and led the most popular program about religion “Friday conversations”. Also in 2007, on ANS TV he led a program “About God and Religion”. At the trial E. Mustafaoglu categorically rejected all the charges and said about systematic tortures during the investigation. The defendant’s lawyer Afgan Mammadov stated that there are no materials demonstrating validity of the accusations.

ARRESTED ON NARDARAN CASE,
INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE « MUSLIM
UNITY» MOVEMENT – 45 PERSONS

Explanation about Nardaran case and «Muslim Unity» Movement

There are arrested at different times and in different places and are the victims of political repressions of regime that brooks no dissent and criticism.
There are all residents of Nardaran village which is located 40 km from Baku, has low standards of living and acute unemployment problem. One of the most respected by Shiites mosques, founded in the 8th century, is located in Nardaran. Nardaran differs from other Baku villages with its religiosity. In 2000, 2002, and 2006, the residents of Nardaran held peaceful protests with socio- economic demands. In June 2002, police carried out military operation in the village, as a result of which 28 people were injured, one died. 23 people were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment on falsified charges; in espionage in favour of Iran, in attempt of violent change of power, and etc. However, as a result of the active work of human rights defenders, none of them remained in the custody after 2005.
On November 26, 2015, there was another police operation in Nardaran. Armed with automatic weapons, the police entered the village and opened heavy fire. As a result, 6 people were killed, including two police officers. Dozens of citizens were arrested. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and General Prosecutor’s Office issued the joint statement, in which they explained the use of firearms against the villagers as an operation necessary to neutralise a criminal armed group that functioned under a religious cover, which planned mass riots, terrorist acts and destabilisation of the socio-political situation in the republic.
On July 19, 2016 the trial of 18 defendants in the Nardaran case was held in the Baku Grave Crimes Court. During the trial all the accused testified that both the policemen and four residents of Nardaran were killed by the police officers. On the trial defendants informed that the police beaten them to death in a car in which they were transported to the Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (MDCOC) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The accused told about brutal tortures to which they were subjected in the MDCOC. All appeals of lawyers to the Prosecutor’s Office to the need of investigation of the facts of tortures and crimes of law enforcement officers were ignored.
Taleh Bagirov testified that he was beaten and tortured more than 30 days so he testified against leader of the opposition Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan Ali Kerimli and chairman of the National Council of Democratic Forces Jamil Hasanli.
During the trial in the Baku Grave Crimes Court, the accused refused the primary testimony given during the investigation, indicating that they had testified under torture.
The majority of those arrested had no lawyers, all witnesses against them were police, and many of believers were convicted without trial. But when conducting trials, there were no evidence against the accused presented at these trials.
We divided 46 political prisoners in so-called Nardaran case into three groups.

Group № 1

Arrested from November 5 to 26 November 2015

27. Elvin Hatif oglu Bunyadov

Date of arrest: November 05, 2015
Charge: Articles 228.4 (Illegal acquisition, selling or carrying of gas weapon, cold steel, including throwing weapon, except for districts where carrying of a cold steel is an accessory of a national suit or connected to hunting); 233 (Organization of actions promoting infringement of a social order or active participation in such actions) and 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority, committed with violence dangerous to life or health) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on August 03, 2013 the Sabunchi District Court of Baku City sentenced to 6 years 1 month and 15 days
Judge: Suleyman Agayev

28. Anar Yusif oglu Aliyev

Arrest: November 05, 2015
Charge: Articles 233 (Organization of actions promoting infringement of a social order or active
participation in such actions) and 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority, committed with violence dangerous to life or health) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on August 03, 2013 the Sabunchi District Court of Baku City sentenced to 5 years 11 months
Judge: Suleyman Agayev

29. Sahil Khalid oglu Rzayev

Date of arrest: November 05, 2015
Charge: Articles 233 (Organization of actions promoting infringement of a social order or active participation in such actions) and 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority, committed with violence dangerous to life or health) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on August 03, 2013 the Sabunchi District Court of Baku City sentenced to 6 years 5 months and 15 days
Judge: Suleyman Agayev

30. Niftali Ashraf oglu Valiyev

Charge: Articles 233 (Organization of actions promoting infringement of a social order or active participation in such actions) and 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority, committed with violence dangerous to life or health) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on August 03, 2013 the Sabunchi District Court of Baku City sentenced to 5 years 11 months and 10 days
Judge: Suleyman Agayev

31. Teymur Adilkhan oglu Osmanov

Group № 2

This group includes arrested on November 26, 2015 believers headed by the Chairman of the « Muslim Unity» Movement Tale Bagirzade

32. Tale Kamil oglu Bagirzade – Chairman of the Muslim Unity Movement

Date of arrest: November 26, 2015
Charge: Articles 28 (Preparation to a crime); 214.2.1 (Preparation of terrorism, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community (criminal organization); 214.2.3. (Preparation of terrorism, committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon); 220.2 (Appeals to active insubordination to legal requirements of representatives of authority and to mass disorders, as well as appeals to violence above citizens); 228.4 (Illegal purchase, selling or carrying of gas weapon, cold steel, including throwing weapon, except for districts where carrying of a cold steel is an accessory of a national suit or connected to hunting) and 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority, committed with violence dangerous to life or health) of the Criminal Code.
On May 19, 2016 the investigation brought a new charges under articles 29 (Attempt to a crime), 120.2.1 (Deliberate murder, committed by group of persons, on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community), 120.2.3 (Deliberate murder of victims or his close relatives in connection with implementation of a given person of service activity or performance of public debt), 120.2.4 (Deliberate murder, committed with special cruelty or in publicly dangers way), 120.2.7 (Deliberate murder of two or more persons) and 120.2.12 (Deliberate murder on motive of national, racial, religious hatred or enmity) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on January 25, 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 20 years in prison
Judge: Alovsat Abbasov
Place of detention: Gobustan Closed Prison

33. Farhad Nasraddin oglu Balayev

Date of arrest: November 26, 2015
Charge: see articles charges Tale Bagirzade
Sentence: on January 25, 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 14 years and 6 months in prison
Judge: Alovsat Abbasov

34. Jahad Balahuseyn oglu Balakishiyev

35. Abbas Abdulrahman oglu Quliyev

36. Abbas Hafiz oglu Taqizade

37. Javad Alibala oglu Valiyev

38. Jabbar Amirkhan oglu Jabbarov

Date of arrest: November 26, 2015
Charge: see articles charges Tale Bagirzade
Sentence: on January 25, 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 19 years in prison
Judge: Alovsat Abbasov
Place of detention: Gobustan Closed Prison

39. Ibrahim Mammad oglu Khudaverdiyev

40. Rasim Mirzabala oglu Jabrayilov

Date of arrest: November 26, 2015
Charge: see articles charges Tale Bagirzade
Sentence: on January 25, 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 17 years in prison
Judge: Alovsat Abbasov
Place of detention: Gobustan Closed Prison

41. Ali Khazrat oglu Nuriyev

42. Zakir Tapdiq oglu Mustafayev

43. Shamil Adil oglu Abdulaliyev

44. Ramin Maharram oglu Yariyev

Date of arrest: November 26, 2015
Charge: see articles charges Tale Bagirzade
Sentence: on January 25, 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 10 years in prison
Judge: Alovsat Abbasov

45. Etibar Rasim oglu Ismayilov

46.Bahruz Rahib oglu Askarov

47. Abbas Mammadbagir oglu Huseynov

Date of arrest: November 26, 2015
Charge: see articles charges Tale Bagirzade
Sentence: on January 25, 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 20 years in prison
Judge: Alovsat Abbasov
Place of detention: Gobustan Closed Prison

Group № 3

This group includes believers arrested on Nardaran and other regions of Azerbaijan after November 26, 2015

48. Aqil Azer oglu Ismayilov

Date of arrest: November 26, 2015
Charge: was charges under articles 228.1 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation or carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies (except for the smooth-bore hunting weapon and ammunition to it), explosives), 228.4 (Illegal acquisition, selling or carrying of gas weapon, cold steel, including throwing weapon, except for districts where carrying of a cold steel is an accessory of a national suit or connected to hunting), 233 (Organization of actions promoting infringement of a social order or active participation in such actions), 234 (Illegal manufacturing, purchase, storage, transportation, transfer or selling of narcotics, psychotropic substances) and 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority, committed with violence dangerous to life or health) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic

He was sentenced on the process Nardaran-2
Sentence: sentenced to 10 years in prison

49. Jabir Sabir oglu Aliyev

Date of arrest: on December 2015
Charge: Articles 214.2.1 (Preparation of terrorism, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community (criminal organization); 214.2.3 (Preparation of terrorism, committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon); 214-2 (Public calls for terrorism), 220.2 (Appeals to active insubordination to legal requirements of representatives of authority and to mass disorders, as well as appeals to violence above citizens); 221.2.2 (Committed with resistance to representative of the authority, acting as on protection of a social order or stopping infringement of a social order or with resistance to other person); 228.3 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies or explosives, committed by organized group); 228.4 (Illegal acquisition, selling or carrying of gas weapon, cold steel, including throwing weapon, except for districts where carrying of a cold steel is an accessory of a national suit or connected to hunting); 279.1 (Creation of armed formations or groups, which are not provided by the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also participation in their creation and activity, supplying them by weapon, ammunition, explosives, military engineering or military equipment); 281.2 (Public appeals directed against the state, committed repeatedly or by group of persons); 283.2.3 (Excitation of national, racial or religious hostility committed by person with use of the service position) and 315.1 (Application of violence, resistance with application of violence concerning the representative of authority in connection with performance of official duties by him or application of the violence not dangerous to life or health concerning his close relatives, as well as threat of application of such violence) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on December 06, 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 16 years in prison
Judge: Zeynal Agayev

50. Mubariz Eyyub oglu Ibrahimov

Date of arrest: December 01, 2015 in Ganja City
Charge: Articles 214.2.1 (Preparation of terrorism, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community (criminal organization); 214.2.3 (Preparation of terrorism, committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon); 214-2 (Public calls for terrorism); 220.2 (Appeals to active insubordination to legal requirements of representatives of authority and to mass disorders, as well as appeals to violence above citizens); 221.2.2 (Committed with resistance to representative of the authority, acting as on protection of a social order or stopping infringement of a social order or with resistance to other person); 228.3 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies or explosives, committed by organized group); 228.4 (Illegal acquisition, selling or carrying of gas weapon, cold steel, including throwing weapon, except for districts where carrying of a cold steel is an accessory of a national suit or connected to hunting); 279.1 (Creation of armed formations or groups, which are not provided by the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also participation in their creation and activity, supplying them by weapon, ammunition, explosives, military engineering or military equipment); 281.2 (Public appeals directed against the state, committed repeatedly or by group of persons); 283.2.3 (Excitation of national, racial or religious hostility committed by person with use of the service position) and 315.1 (Application of violence, resistance with application of violence concerning the representative of authority in connection with performance of official duties by him or application of the violence not dangerous to life or health concerning his close relatives, as well as threat of application of such violence) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic

Sentence: on December 06, 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 15 years in prison
Judge: Zeynal Agayev

51. Ramil Suliddin oglu Seyfullayev

Date of arrest: November 29, 2015
Charge: Articles 214.2.1 (Preparation of terrorism, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community (criminal organization); 214.2.3 (Preparation of terrorism, committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon); 214-2 (Public calls for terrorism), 220.2 (Appeals to active insubordination to legal requirements of representatives of authority and to mass disorders, as well as appeals to violence above citizens); 221.2.2 (Committed with resistance to representative of the authority, acting as on protection of a social order or stopping infringement of a social order or with resistance to other person); 228.3 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies or explosives, committed by organized group); 228.4 (Illegal acquisition, selling or carrying of gas weapon, cold steel, including throwing weapon, except for districts where carrying of a cold steel is an accessory of a national suit or connected to hunting); 279.1 (Creation of armed formations or groups, which are not provided by the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also participation in their creation and activity, supplying them by weapon, ammunition, explosives, military engineering or military equipment); 281.2 (Public appeals directed against the state, committed repeatedly or by group of persons); 283.2.3 (Excitation of national, racial or religious hostility committed by person with use of the service position) and 315.1 (Application of violence, resistance with application of violence concerning the representative of authority in connection with performance of official duties by him or application of the violence not dangerous to life or health concerning his close relatives, as well as threat of application of such violence) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on December 06, 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 15 years in prison
Judge: Zeynal Agayev

52. Agaali Eldar oglu Yahyayev

Date of arrest: November 05, 2015
Charge: Articles 214.2.1 (Preparation of terrorism, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community (criminal organization); 214.2.3 (Preparation of terrorism, committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon); 214-2 (Public calls for terrorism), 220.2 (Appeals to active insubordination to legal requirements of representatives of authority and to mass disorders, as well as appeals to violence above citizens); 221.2.2 (Committed with resistance to representative of the authority, acting as on protection of a social order or stopping infringement of a social order or with resistance to other person); 228.3 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies or explosives, committed by organized group); 228.4 (Illegal acquisition, selling or carrying of gas weapon, cold steel, including throwing weapon, except for districts where carrying of a cold steel is an accessory of a national suit or connected to hunting); 279.1 (Creation of armed formations or groups, which are not provided by the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also participation in their creation and activity, supplying them by weapon, ammunition, explosives, military engineering or military equipment); 281.2 (Public appeals directed against the state, committed repeatedly or by group of persons); 283.2.3 (Excitation of national, racial or religious hostility committed by person with use of the service position) and 315.1 (Application of violence, resistance with application of violence concerning the representative of authority in connection with performance of official duties by him or application of the violence not dangerous to life or health concerning his close relatives, as well as threat of application of such violence) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on December 06, 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 15 years in prison
Judge: Zeynal Agayev

53. Ali Atabala oglu Shahbazov

Date of arrest: December 02, 2015
Charge: Articles 214.2.1 (Preparation of terrorism, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community (criminal organization); 214.2.3 (Preparation of terrorism, committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon); 214-2 (Public calls for terrorism); 220.2 (Appeals to active insubordination to legal requirements of representatives of authority and to mass disorders, as well as appeals to violence above citizens); 221.2.2 (Committed with resistance to representative of the authority, acting as on protection of a social order or stopping infringement of a social order or with resistance to other person); 228.3 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies or explosives, committed by organized group); 228.4 (Illegal acquisition, selling or carrying of gas weapon, cold steel, including throwing weapon, except for districts where carrying of a cold steel is an accessory of a national suit or connected to hunting); 279.1 (Creation of armed formations or groups, which are not provided by the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also participation in their creation and activity, supplying them by weapon, ammunition, explosives, military engineering or military equipment); 281.2 (Public appeals directed against the state, committed repeatedly or by group of persons); 283.2.3 (Excitation of national, racial or religious hostility committed by person with use of the service position) and 315.1 (Application of violence, resistance with application of violence concerning the representative of authority in connection with performance of official duties by him or application of the violence not dangerous to life or health concerning his close relatives, as well as threat of application of such violence) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on December 06, 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 12 years and 3 months in prison
Judge: Zeynal Agayev

54. Hasan Mammad oglu Mammadov

Date of arrest: on December 2015
Charge: Articles 214.2.1 (Preparation of terrorism, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community (criminal organization); 214.2.3 (Preparation of terrorism, committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon); 214-2 (Public calls for terrorism); 220.2 (Appeals to active insubordination to legal requirements of representatives of authority and to mass disorders, as well as appeals to violence above citizens); 221.2.2 (Committed with resistance to representative of the authority, acting as on protection of a social order or stopping infringement of a social order or with resistance to other person); 228.3 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies or explosives, committed by organized group); 228.4 (Illegal acquisition, selling or carrying of gas weapon, cold steel, including throwing weapon, except for districts where carrying of a cold steel is an accessory of a national suit or connected to hunting); 279.1 (Creation of armed formations or groups, which are not provided by the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also participation in their creation and activity, supplying them by weapon, ammunition, explosives, military engineering or military equipment); 281.2 (Public appeals directed against the state, committed repeatedly or by group of persons); 283.2.3 (Excitation of national, racial or religious hostility committed by person with use of the service position) and 315.1 (Application of violence, resistance with application of violence concerning the representative of authority in connection with performance of official duties by him or application of the violence not dangerous to life or health concerning his close relatives, as well as threat of application of such violence) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on December 06, 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 12 years and 3 months in prison
Judge: Zeynal Agayev

55. Eldar Aliaga oglu Bunyadov

Date of arrest: December 01, 2015
Charge: Articles 214.2.1 (Preparation of terrorism, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community (criminal organization); 214.2.3 (Preparation of terrorism, committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon); 214-2 (Public calls for terrorism), 220.2 (Appeals to active insubordination to legal requirements of representatives of authority and to mass disorders, as well as appeals to violence above citizens); 221.2.2 (Committed with resistance to representative of the authority, acting as on protection of a social order or stopping infringement of a social order or with resistance to other person); 228.3 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies or explosives, committed by organized group); 228.4 (Illegal acquisition, selling or carrying of gas weapon, cold steel, including throwing weapon, except for districts where carrying of a cold steel is an accessory of a national suit or connected to hunting); 279.1 (Creation of armed formations or groups, which are not provided by the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also participation in their creation and activity, supplying them by weapon, ammunition, explosives, military engineering or military equipment); 281.2 (Public appeals directed against the state, committed repeatedly or by group of persons); 283.2.3 (Excitation of national, racial or religious hostility committed by person with use of the service position) and 315.1 (Application of violence, resistance with application of violence concerning the representative of authority in connection with performance of official duties by him or application of the violence not dangerous to life or health concerning his close relatives, as well as threat of application of such violence) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on December 06, 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 12 years and 3 months in prison
Judge: Zeynal Agayev

56. Mehman Abulfaz oglu Quliyev

57. Mehman Balahuseyn oglu Mammadov

Date of arrest: on December 2015
Charge: Articles 214.2.1 (Preparation of terrorism, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community (criminal organization); 214.2.3 (Preparation of terrorism, committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon); 214-2 (Public calls for terrorism); 220.2 (Appeals to active insubordination to legal requirements of representatives of authority and to mass disorders, as well as appeals to violence above citizens); 221.2.2 (Committed with resistance to representative of the authority, acting as on protection of a social order or stopping infringement of a social order or with resistance to other person); 228.3 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies or explosives, committed by organized group); 228.4 (Illegal acquisition, selling or carrying of gas weapon, cold steel, including throwing weapon, except for districts where carrying of a cold steel is an accessory of a national suit or connected to hunting); 279.1 (Creation of armed formations or groups, which are not provided by the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also participation in their creation and activity, supplying them by weapon, ammunition, explosives, military engineering or military equipment); 281.2 (Public appeals directed against the state, committed repeatedly or by group of persons); 283.2.3 (Excitation of national, racial or religious hostility committed by person with use of the service position) and 315.1 (Application of violence, resistance with application of violence concerning the representative of authority in connection with performance of official duties by him or application of the violence not dangerous to life or health concerning his close relatives, as well as threat of application of such violence) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on December 06, 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 12 years and 3 months in prison
Judge: Zeynal Agayev

58. Amirali Ismayil oglu Aliyev

Members of the «Muslim Unity» Movement

59. Nahid Nasib oglu Qahramanov

Date of arrest: on December 2015
Charge: Articles 214.2.1 (Preparation of terrorism, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community (criminal organization); 214.2.3 (Preparation of terrorism, committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon); 214-2 (Public calls for terrorism); 220.2 (Appeals to active insubordination to legal requirements of representatives of authority and to mass disorders, as well as appeals to violence above citizens); 221.2.2 (Committed with resistance to representative of the authority, acting as on protection of a social order or stopping infringement of a social order or with resistance to other person); 228.3 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies or explosives, committed by organized group); 228.4 (Illegal acquisition, selling or carrying of gas weapon, cold steel, including throwing weapon, except for districts where carrying of a cold steel is an accessory of a national suit or connected to hunting); 233 (Organization of actions promoting infringement of a social order or active participation in such actions); 278 (Violent capture power or violent deduction power); 279.1 (Creation of armed formations or groups, which are not provided by the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also participation in their creation and activity, supplying them by weapon, ammunition, explosives, military engineering or military equipment); 281.2 (Public appeals directed against the state, committed repeatedly or by group of persons); 283.2.3 (Excitation of national, racial or religious hostility committed by person with use of the service position) and 315.1 (Application of violence, resistance with application of violence concerning the representative of authority in connection with performance of official duties by him or application of the violence not dangerous to life or health concerning his close relatives, as well as threat of application of such violence) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on December 28, 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 13 years in prison
Judge: Mayil Bayramov

Conclution:
Nahid Qahramanov was arrested on November 5, 2012 for participation in the rally “Freedom to a hijab” and sentenced to 4 years. He was recognized as “the prisoner of conscience” and in 2014 released by presidential pardon.

60. Elgun Akhund oglu Akhundov

Date of arrest: December 01, 2015
Charge: Articles 214.2.1 (Preparation of terrorism, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community); 214.2.3 (Preparation of terrorism, committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon); 214-2 (Public calls for terrorism), 220.2 (Appeals to active insubordination to legal requirements of representatives of authority and to mass disorders, as well as appeals to violence above citizens); 233 (Organization of actions promoting infringement of a social order or active participation in such actions); 228.3 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies or explosives, committed by organized group); 228.4 (Illegal acquisition, selling or carrying of gas weapon, cold steel, including throwing weapon, except for districts where carrying of a cold steel is an accessory of a national suit or connected to hunting); 278 (Violent capture power or violent deduction power); 279.1 (Creation of armed formations or groups, which are not provided by the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also participation in their creation and activity, supplying them by weapon, ammunition, explosives, military engineering or military equipment); 281.2 (Public appeals directed against the state, committed repeatedly or by group of persons); 283.2.3 (Excitation of national, racial or religious hostility committed by person with use of the service position) and 315.1 (Application of violence, resistance with application of violence concerning the representative of authority in connection with performance of official duties by him or application of the violence not dangerous to life or health concerning his close relatives, as well as threat of application of such violence) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on December 28, 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 12 years and 6 months in prison
Judge: Mayil Bayramov

61. Vusal Nadir oglu Alishov

Date of arrest: on December 2015
Charge: Articles 214.2.1 (Preparation of terrorism, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community (criminal organization); 214.2.3 (Preparation of terrorism, committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon); 214-2 (Public calls for terrorism); 220.2 (Appeals to active insubordination to legal requirements of representatives of authority and to mass disorders, as well as appeals to violence above citizens); 228.3 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies or explosives, committed by organized group); 228.4 (Illegal acquisition, selling or carrying of gas weapon, cold steel, including throwing weapon, except for districts where carrying of a cold steel is an accessory of a national suit or connected to hunting); 233 (Organization of actions promoting infringement of a social order or active participation in such actions); 278 (Violent capture power or violent deduction power); 279.1 (Creation of armed formations or groups, which are not provided by the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also participation in their creation and activity, supplying them by weapon, ammunition, explosives, military engineering or military equipment); 281.2 (Public appeals directed against the state, committed repeatedly or by group of persons); 283.2.3 (Excitation of national, racial or religious hostility committed by person with use of the service position) and 315.1 (Application of violence, resistance with application of violence concerning the representative of authority in connection with performance of official duties by him or application of the violence not dangerous to life or health concerning his close relatives, as well as threat of application of such violence) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on December 28, 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 12 years and 6 months in prison
Judge: Mayil Bayramov

62. Seyfaddin Nurulla oglu Shirvanov

Date of arrest: on December 2015
Charge: Articles 214.2.1 (Preparation of terrorism, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community (criminal organization); 214.2.3 (Preparation of terrorism, committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon); 214-2 (Public calls for terrorism); 220.2 (Appeals to active insubordination to legal requirements of representatives of authority and to mass disorders, as well as appeals to violence above citizens); 228.3 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies or explosives, committed by organized group); 228.4 (Illegal acquisition, selling or carrying of gas weapon, cold steel, including throwing weapon, except for districts where carrying of a cold steel is an accessory of a national suit or connected to hunting); 233 (Organization of actions promoting infringement of a social order or active participation in such actions); 278 (Violent capture power or violent deduction power); 279.1 (Creation of armed formations or groups, which are not provided by the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also participation in their creation and activity, supplying them by weapon, ammunition, explosives, military engineering or military equipment); 281.2 (Public appeals directed against the state, committed repeatedly or by group of persons); 283.2.3 (Excitation of national, racial or religious hostility committed by person with use of the service position) and 315.1 (Application of violence, resistance with application of violence concerning the representative of authority in connection with performance of official duties by him or application of the violence not dangerous to life or health concerning his close relatives, as well as threat of application of such violence) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on December 28, 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 12 years and 3 months in prison
Judge: Mayil Bayramov

63. Isa Tofiq oglu Ibrahimov

Date of arrest: December 18, 2015
Charge: Articles 214.2.1 (Preparation of terrorism, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community (criminal organization); 214.2.3 (Preparation of terrorism, committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon); 214-2 (Public calls for terrorism); 220.2 (Appeals to active insubordination to legal requirements of representatives of authority and to mass disorders, as well as appeals to violence above citizens); 228.3 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies or explosives, committed by organized group); 228.4 (Illegal acquisition, selling or carrying of gas weapon, cold steel, including throwing weapon, except for districts where carrying of a cold steel is an accessory of a national suit or connected to hunting); 233 (Organization of actions promoting infringement of a social order or active participation in such actions); 278 (Violent capture power or violent deduction power); 279.1 (Creation of armed formations or groups, which are not provided by the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also participation in their creation and activity, supplying them by weapon, ammunition, explosives, military engineering or military equipment); 281.2 (Public appeals directed against the state, committed repeatedly or by group of persons) and 283.2.3 (Excitation of national, racial or religious hostility committed by person with use of the service position) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on December 28, 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 12 years and 3 months in prison
Judge: Mayil Bayramov

64. Farhad Mirza oglu Muradov

Date of arrest: on December 2015
Charge: Articles 214.2.1 (Preparation of terrorism, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community (criminal organization); 214.2.3 (Preparation of terrorism, committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon); 214-2 (Public calls for terrorism); 220.2 (Appeals to active insubordination to legal requirements of representatives of authority and to mass disorders, as well as appeals to violence above citizens); 228.3 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies or explosives, committed by organized group); 228.4 (Illegal acquisition, selling or carrying of gas weapon, cold steel, including throwing weapon, except for districts where carrying of a cold steel is an accessory of a national suit or connected to hunting); 233 (Organization of actions promoting infringement of a social order or active participation in such actions); 278 (Violent capture power or violent deduction power); 279.1 (Creation of armed formations or groups, which are not provided by the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also participation in their creation and activity, supplying them by weapon, ammunition, explosives, military engineering or military equipment); 281.2 (Public appeals directed against the state, committed repeatedly or by group of persons); 283.2.3 (Excitation of national, racial or religious hostility committed by person with use of the service position) and 315.1 (Application of violence, resistance with application of violence concerning the representative of authority in connection with performance of official duties by him or application of the violence not dangerous to life or health concerning his close relatives, as well as threat of application of such violence) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on December 28, 2017 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 12 years and 6 months in prison
Judge: Mayil Bayramov

65. Elkhan Sayadulla oglu Iskandarov

Date of arrest: March 15, 2017
Charge: On December 2, 2015 wanted under the article 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority, committed with violence dangerous to life or health) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic.
When Elkhan Iskandarov was wanted, on May 13, 2016 he was accused with additional charges under the articles: 28 (Preparation to a crime); 214.2.1 (Preparation of terrorism, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community); 214.2.3 (Preparation of terrorism, committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon); 214-2 (Public calls for terrorism); 220.2 (Appeals to active insubordination to legal requirements of representatives of authority and to mass disorders, as well as appeals to violence above citizens); 233 (Organization of actions promoting infringement of a social order or active participation in such actions); 228.3 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies or explosives, committed by organized group); 228.4 (Illegal acquisition, selling or carrying of gas weapon, cold steel, including throwing weapon, except for districts where carrying of a cold steel is an accessory of a national suit or connected to hunting); 278 (Violent capture power or violent deduction power); 279.1 (Creation of armed formations or groups, which are not provided by the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also participation in their creation and activity, supplying them by weapon, ammunition, explosives, military engineering or military equipment); 281.2 (Public appeals directed against the state, committed repeatedly or by group of persons) and 283.2.3 (Excitation of national, racial or religious hostility committed by person with use of the service position) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on July 11, 2018 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 14 years in prison
Judge: Afgan Hajiyev
Place of detention: Gobustan Closed Prison

Conclusion:
E. Iskandarov was prosecuted on Nardaran events in November, 2015. He was charged with the same charges as the activists of the Muslim Unity Movement. All arrested in this case are in the list of political prisoners and recognized as political prisoners by Amnesty International, HRW and other human rights organizations.

66. Muhammadali Ruhulla oglu Akhundzada – theologian

Date of arrest: December 28, 2015
Charge: Article 234.2 (Illegal purchase or storage with a view of selling, manufacturing, processing, transportation, transfer or selling of narcotics or psychotropic substances) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: On June 30, 2016 the Court of Lankaran City sentenced to 5 years and 6 months in prison

Conclusion:
M. Akhundzada studied at religious educational school (madrasa), on social networks wrote critical articles about the policy of the authorities of Azerbaijan. He was arrested after the “Nardaran events”, when come back home from Iran.
M. Akhundzada is a son of Ruhulla Akhundzada (in our list No. 43), who was arrested in 2011 for political reasons. The arrest of members of families of political prisoners
who continue to speak critically against policy of authority is common practice in Azerbaijan

67. Sardar Arif oglu Babayev – theologian, Chief Editor of the religious website
www.maide.az

Date of arrest: February 22, 2017
Charge: Articles 168-1.3 (Repeated action of violation of the procedure for religious propaganda and religious ceremonies, including by conducting of Islamic rites by a citizen of Republic of Azerbaijan who has received their religious education abroad) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: On July 03, 2017 the Masally District Court sentenced to 3 years in prison

Conclusion:
The theologian was arrested on the complaint of the Chairman of the Executive Committee of Masally City. The investigation took place more than a month, but without results. The article incriminated to the theologian does not involve arrest and detention for the period of investigation. There is a complete violation of all the rights of the arrested person. The prosecution said that S. Babayev broke the law – he had no right to hold religious ceremonies at the mosque because he was a graduate of a foreign religious university. Allegedly he repeatedly made warning, but he ignored them. In response, the lawyer pointed out that Sardar Babayev graduated from a foreign Islamic University in 2000, while legislative restrictions on conducting of religious ceremonies of graduates of foreign universities was introduced in 2015, and the law could not retroactive effect. In addition, all heads of the Board of Muslims of Caucasus also educated abroad.
In fact, S. Babayev was arrested for his independent position and had raise in his sermons social problems.

68. Ahsan Nuruzada – activists of the Muslim Unity Movement

Date of arrest: October 06, 2017
Charge: Article 234.4.3 (Illegal manufacturing, purchase, storage, transportation, transfer or selling of narcotics, psychotropic substances, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons or organized group in large amount) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on March 06, 2018 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 7 years in prison
Judge: Sabuhi Huseynov

Conclusion:
Ahsan Nuruzada actively participated in the protection of the rights of arrested members of the Muslim Unity Movement, assisted in covering of the trial in media and social networks. In 2016, twice was detained administratively. On October 06, 2017, A. Nuruzada was again detained in the courtyard of his house by persons in civilian clothes. Three days the lawyer appealed to the police and the courts, trying to establish his location. But only on the evening of October 09, 2017 in the Pre-trial Detention Center No. 1 of Kyurdakhani confirmed that A. Nuruzada transferred to the detention centre.

69. Elshan Abbasov – activists of the Muslim Unity Movement

Date of arrest: October 27, 2017
Charge: Articles 228 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies, explosives) and 234.4.3 (Illegal manufacturing, purchase, storage, transportation, transfer or selling of narcotics, psychotropic substances, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons or organized group in large amount) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on June 30, 2018 the Masally District Court sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison
Place of detention: Pre-trial Detention Center No. 1 of Kyurdakhani

Conclusion:
On May 6, 2011 Elshan Abbasov participated in the rally of believers in front of the Ministry of Education demanding the lifting of the ban on wearing hijab (hijab is a Muslim woman’s headdress) in schools. For participation in this rally was arrested and sentenced to 2 years in prison on charges of public disturbance. After the arrest of the activists of the Muslim Unity participated in trials, rallies in support of the movement. As result, was arrested without the sanction of the prosecutor and without participation of witnesses.

70. Shamkhal Eyvazov – activists of the Muslim Unity Movement

Date of arrest: April 27, 2018
Charge: Article 234.4.3 (Illegal manufacturing, purchase, storage, transportation, transfer or selling of narcotics, psychotropic substances, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons or organized group in large amount) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Place of detention: Pre-trial Detention Center No. 1 of Kyurdakhani

Conclusion:
Shamkhal Eyvazov is a theologian, studied in Iran in the Qum City, actively participated in publishing site www.sizinyol.com . For this, his family for a long time is controlled by the police.
On April 16, 2018, Shamkhal Eyvazov together with his brother Migdad Eyvazov passed a customs inspection at the border with Iran and were detained and taken to the Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan, where illegally detained more than 4 days. Only then they announced a ban on leaving the country. The arrest of Eyvazov Shamkhal is a continuation of repressions against peaceful believers.

71. Firudin Etibar oglu Zeynalov – activists of the Muslim Unity Movement

Date of arrest: October 01, 2017
Charge: Articles 221.3 (The hooliganism committed with application of a weapon or subjects, used as the weapon) and 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority, committed with violence dangerous to life or health) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on November 02, 2018 the Ganja City Court sentenced to 1 years and 4 months in prison
Place of detention: Pre-trial Detention Center of Ganja City

Conclusion:
Firudin Zeynalov participated in the trials of those arrested in connection with Nardaran case, actively protected the rights of defendants, in the social networks distributed facts of fabricated proofs. He was arrested in Ganja City on October 01, 2017.
The trial of Firudin Zeynalov is being held with gross violations – he was kept in a glass cell in handcuffs with a disabled microphone. All lawyer’s protests are rejected. The trial continues.

GROUP № 6

HOSTAGES – 1 person

72. Emin Sagiyev

Date of arrest: November 17, 2017
Charge: Article 234.4.3 (Illegal manufacturing, purchase, storage, transportation, transfer or selling of narcotics, psychotropic substances, committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons or organized group in large amount) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on October 02, 2018 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 7 years in prison
Judge: Eldar Ismayilov

Conclusion:
Emin Nagiyev is the brother of wife of Turkel Azerturk, who is in the political emigrant and presenter of television programs on Azerbaijan Saaty (Azerbaijan hour) TV. This TV created by political emigrant Ganimat Zahidov – former political prisoner and chief editor of the opposition newspaper Azadliq. The programs sharply criticize the policy of the authorities.
From 2014, in Azerbaijan began to arrests relatives of journalists living abroad Azerbaijan and cooperating with this TV. The charge against Emin Sagiyev is punishable by imprisonment from 5 to 12 years. In the Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan as “proof” of support of contacts with T. Azerturk was shown his congratulations on the occasion of the birth of a child with Turkel Azerturk’s child.

GROUP № 7
Sentenced on “Ganja case” – 31 persons

73. Maarif Hajiev

Date of arrest: July 10, 2018
Charge: articles 220.1(mass disorders) and 315.2 (resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on February 22 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 9 years in prison
Presiding judge: Natig Aliyev
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Khagani Samadov

74. Shahlar Rzayev

Date of arrest: July 10, 2018
Charge: articles 220.1 (mass disorders) and 315.2 (resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on February 22, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 8,5 years in prison
Presiding judge: Natiq Aliyev
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Khagani Samadov

75. Ruslan Hasanov

Date of arrest: July 10, 2018
Charge: articles 220.1 (mass disorders) and 315.2 (resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on February 22, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 8 years in prison
Presiding judge: Natiq Aliyev
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Khagani Samadov

76. Tural Bayramov

Date of arrest: July 10, 2018
Charge: articles 220.1 (mass disorders) and 315.2 (resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on February 22, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 8 years in prison
Presiding judge: Natiq Aliyev
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Khagani Samadov

77. Nizami Akbarov

Date of arrest: July 10, 2018
Charge: articles 220.1 (mass disorders) and 315.2 (resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on February 22 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 8 years in prison
Presiding judge: Natiq Aliyev
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Khagani Samadov

78. Kamal Maharramov

Date of arrest: July 10, 2018
Charge: articles 220.1 (mass disorders) and 315.2 (resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on February 22, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 8,5 years in prison
Presiding judge: Natiq Aliyev
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Khagani Samadov

79. Araz Hasanov

Date of arrest: July 10, 2018
Charge: articles 220.1 (mass disorders) and 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on February 22 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 7,5 years in prison
Presiding judge: Natiq Aliyev
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Khagani Samadov

80. Togrul Verdiyev

Date of arrest: July 10, 2018
Charge: articles 220.1 (mass disorders) and 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on February 22, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 8 years in prison
Presiding judge: Natiq Aliyev
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Khagani Samadov

81. Orhan Yagnaliyev

Date of arrest: July 10, 2018
Charge: articles 220.1 (mass disorders) and 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on February 22, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 8,5 years in prison
Presiding judge: Natiq Aliyev
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Khagani Samadov

82. Seymur Aliyev

Date of arrest: July 10, 2018
Charge: articles 220.1 (mass disorders) and 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on February 22 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 8 years in prison
Presiding judge: Natiq Aliyev
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Khagani Samadov

83. Vagif Ashrafov

84. Sabuhi Radjabov

Date of arrest: July 12, 2018
Charge: article 220.1 (mass disorders) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on March 2, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 6 years in prison
Presiding judge: Muhammad Bagirov

85. Elman Quliyev

Date of arrest: July 11, 2018
Charge: article 220.1 (mass disorders) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on March 2, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 8 years in prison
Presiding judge: Muhammad Bagirov

86. Iruz Hajiyev

Date of arrest: July 12, 2018
Charge: article 220.1 (mass disorders) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on March 2, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 7 years in prison
Presiding judge: Muhammad Bagirov

87. Kabir Azizov

Date of arrest: July 12, 2018
Charge: article 220.1 (mass disorders) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on March 2, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 5 years in prison
Presiding judge: Muhammad Bagirov

88. Sabir Azizov

Date of arrest: July 11, 2018
Charge: article 220.1 (mass disorders) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on March 2, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 6 years in prison
Presiding judge: Muhammad Bagirov

89. Riya Nurizade

Date of arrest: July 12, 2018
Charge: article 220.1 (mass disorders) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on March 2, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 5 years in prison
Presiding judge: Muhammad Bagirov

90. Gulmirza Nurizade

91. Fikrat Mirzaliyev

92. Yavar Ismayilzade

Date of arrest: July 10, 2018
Charge: articles 220.1 (mass disorders) and 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on March 15, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 9 years in prison
Presiding judge: Elmin Rustamov
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Eldar Ismayilov

93. Zabil Mammadov

Date of arrest: July 10, 2018
Charge: articles 220.1 (mass disorders) and 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on March 15, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 8,5 years in prison
Presiding judge: Elmin Rustamov
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Eldar Ismayilov

94. Qanbar Garazade

Date of arrest: July 10, 2018
Charge: articles 220.1 (mass disorders) and 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on March 15, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 7,5 years in prison
Presiding judge: Elmin Rustamov
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Eldar Ismayilov

95. Isa Maharramzade

Date of arrest: July 10, 2018
Charge: articles 220.1 (mass disorders) and 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on March 15, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 8 years in prison
Presiding judge: Elmin Rustamov
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Eldar Ismayilov

96. Aydin Rustamov

Date of arrest: July 17, 2018
Charge: articles 220.1 (mass disorders) and 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on March 15, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 8 years in prison
Presiding judge: Elmin Rustamov
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Eldar Ismayilov

97. Alim Yusifov

Date of arrest: July 10, 2018
Charge: article 220.1 (mass disorders) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on March 15, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 7,5 years in prison
Presiding judge: Elmin Rustamov
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Eldar Ismayilov

98. Vugar Khudiyev

Date of arrest: July 10, 2018
Charge: article 220.1 (mass disorders) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on March 1, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 7 years in prison
Presiding judge: Khagani Samadov
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Emin Rustamov

99. Neymat Heydarli

Date of arrest: July 10, 2018
Charge: articles 220.1 (mass disorders) and 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on March 1, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 8 years in prison
Presiding judge: Khagani Samadov
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Emin Rustamov

100. Renat Mammadov

Date of arrest: July 11, 2018
Charge: article 220.1 (mass disorders) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on March 1, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 6 years in prison
Presiding judge: Khagani Samadov
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Emin Rustamov

101. Elman Rustamov

Date of arrest: July 10, 2018

Charge: articles 220.1 (mass disorders) and 315.2 (Resistance or application of violence concerning the representative of authority) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on March 1, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 8 years in prison
Presiding judge: Khagani Samadov
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Emin Rustamov

102. Elvin Nazarov

Date of arrest: July 11, 2018
Charge: article 220.1 (mass disorders) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on March 1, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 7 years in prison
Presiding judge: Khagani Samadov
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Emin Rustamov

103. Elvin Allahverdiyev

Date of arrest: July 12, 2018
Charge: article 220.1 (mass disorders) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic
Sentence: on March 1, 2019 the Ganja Grave Crimes Court sentenced to 7 years in prison
Presiding judge: Khagani Samadov
Judges: Faiq Mahmudov, Emin Rustamov

Conclusion:

On July 3, 2018 there was assassination attempt on the Chief of the Executive Power Elmar Valiyev. Ganja born Yunis Safarov wounded him and his body guard.
The name Yunis Safarov became well-known in Republic, after his photos were widespread on July 3rd-4th, at social networks, on which Safarov was lying on the floor, there were a lot of blood near him and on him, and there were traces of tortures on his body. Photos became evidence that Y. Safarov was beaten and brutally tortured.
After this, protest action against arbitrariness of the authorities was scheduled to July 10th, in front of Ganja city administration and widespread via social networks.
On July 10, Ministry of Internal Affairs informed about the disorders in Ganja, during which two police colonels were killed. Noteworthy, those were exactly two police colonels, who on July 3rd, did not allow Elmar Valiyev’s son to kill Yunis Safarov… It is also important to pay attention, that the killing of the colonels took place without any intervention of police, the killer came to the square with a dragger in his hand, and he also left it easily. State Security Service and Ministry of Internal Affairs started mass arrest among the believers. 77 people were arrested, attracted to criminal responsibility. 8 more persons were killed during “armed resistance”
All the detainees on “Ganja case” were divided into groups. One of the first verdicts was passed on February 22, 2019. Ganja City Court on Grave Crimes sentenced the group of the accused, consisting of 11 people. On March 1, and March 15, 2019, there were also the passing of the verdicts.
Analysis of the indicated judicial proceedings demonstrated that all verdicts are unlawful, groundless, unjust and passed in accordance with political order. Court ignored the absence of any proofs of the guilt of the defendants on pressed charges against them; court did not investigate numerous complaints on the facts of tortures that accused were subjected to; court crudely violated the national legislation of the AR: Article 28 and 46 of the Constitution of the AR, Article 13 and 21.2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the AR; also the norms of international law: Article 6 (2), 5 (1), 3 of European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Article 5 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, also the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Thus, judicial proceedings and verdicts demonstrated the full absence of the judicial independence and their execution of the political order during sentencing on so called “Ganja case”.

GROUP № 8

LIFE TERM SENTENCED – 14 persons

Former Special Police Detachment (SPD) members – 6 persons

104. Elchin Samad oglu Amiraslanov

Date of arrest: 10 December 1996
Sentence: in 1996 was sentenced to death, commuted to life imprisonment
Place of detention: Gobustan Closed Prison

105. Arif Nasir oglu Kazimov

Sentence: in 1996 was sentenced to death, commuted to life imprisonment
Place of detention: Gobustan Closed Prison

106. Dayanat Karim oglu Karimov

Sentence: in 1994 was sentenced to death, commuted to life imprisonment
Place of detention: Gobustan Closed Prison

107. Hasan Huseyn oglu Mustafayev

Sentence: in 1996 was sentenced to death, commuted to life imprisonment
Place of detention: Gobustan Closed Prison

108. Safa Alim oglu Poladov

Sentence: in 1996 was sentenced to death, commuted to life imprisonment.
Place of detention: Gobustan Closed Prison

109. Aliyusif Damat oglu Tahirov

Sentence: in 1996 was sentenced to death, commuted to life imprisonment
Place of detention: Gobustan Closed Prison

Former members of the military detachment Qaranqush – 3 persons

110. Intiqam Yusif oglu Qayibov

Sentence: in 1996 was sentenced to death, commuted to life imprisonment
Place of detention: Gobustan Closed Prison

111. Sahib Nuraddin oglu Mammadaliyev

Sentence: in 1993 was sentenced to death, commuted to life imprisonment
Place of detention: Gobustan Closed Prison

112. Yashar Hasay oglu Shahmuradov

Sentence: in 1993 was sentenced to death, commuted to life imprisonment.
Place of detention: Gobustan Closed Prison

Convicted on the case of the former Prime Minister
Surat Huseynov – 5 persons

113. Rashid Nurulla oglu Ismayilov

Sentence: in 1998 was sentenced to death, commuted to life imprisonment
Place of detention: Gobustan Closed Prison

114. Karimov Karamat Pasha oglu

Sentence: – in 1997 was sentenced to death, commuted to life imprisonment
Place of detention: Gobustan Closed Prison

115. Mustafayev Elshad Teyyub oglu

Sentence: – in 1995 was sentenced to death, commuted to life imprisonment
Place of detention: Gobustan Closed Prison

116. Mustafayev Maqsud Teyyub oglu

Sentence: – in 1995 was sentenced to death, commuted to life imprisonment
Place of detention: Gobustan Closed Prison

117. Huseynov Maqsud Vaqif oglu

Sentence: – in 1994 was sentenced to death, commuted to life imprisonment
Place of detention: Gobustan Closed Prison

Conclusion:
In 1993-1997 the ruling regime of Azerbaijan condemned a large group of veterans of Karabakh conflict – soldiers and police officers for political reasons to death under the Criminal Code approved by the law of the Azerbaijan SSR on December 08, 1960. All convicts were tortured, some died in prison before the trial.
On 10 February 1998, the Parliament of the Republic adopted the law On amending the Criminal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Correction-Labor Code, to abolish the death penalty in Azerbaijan. Article 4 of this law stated that the punishment of persons sentenced to the death penalty prior to the law taking force, shall be replaced with a sentence of life imprisonment. In fact, death penalty was replaced with a type of punishment that was not enshrined in any legislation at the time.
The new Criminal Code of Azerbaijan Republic, which provides for the punishment of life imprisonment, entered into force in 2000. The old Criminal Code, which was in force until 2000, did not provide for life imprisonment, but for the death penalty and a maximum term of 15 years of imprisonment. Therefore, all persons sentenced to the death penalty before 2000 should have to replace the penalty to 15 years of imprisonment or to judge again.
It is not legally lawful for them to replaced the death penalty for life imprisonment without trial and a court verdict on the basis of a decision of Parliament. When Azerbaijan joined to the Council of Europe in 2001, the Institute for Peace and Democracy (Director Leyla Yunus) presented a list of 716 political prisoners to the CoE experts. This list included also mentioned above 14 people. All of them were found for political motives.

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