Amiraslanov vs arbitrariness

December 12, 2012 Shirvan Court of Appeal held another hearing on the complaint of “Kura” civil society activist Ilham Amiraslanov. September 13 current year, Amiraslanov was sentenced by Sabirabad court on charges of illegal possession of weapons (Article 228.1 of the Criminal Code), although at trial he and witnesses testified that his gun was planted, and under torture, he was forced to confess. Doctors have also confirmed that Amiraslanov broke two ribs and damaged eardrum.

At the court was viewed amateur video of operation to arrest Amiraslanov from site contact.az, which indicates that the operation involved not two police officers, according to the prosecution, and the large divisions of the Interior Ministry Department for combating organized crime, called by the people “bandotdel” and local police.

The court also expressed its willingness to hear the testimony of two witnesses who previously refused to hear by Sabirabad district court. These are a brother of Amiraslanov and driver of the vehicle in which the accused was arrested. The defense also made a request to call at the court a former police official Sabirabad Rauf Mecidov, who participated in the arrest Amiraslanov and tortured him and two employees of the Department for combating organized crime and two witnesses.

In his speech, the convicted Ilham Amiraslanov reiterated stated on fabricated his case and complained of continued pain in his head and body. The next hearing is scheduled for January 16.

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