Azerbaijani opposition party adviser jailed for 'hooliganism'
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 13 January 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Azerbaijani opposition party adviser jailed for 'hooliganism', 13 January 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/52e65b2512.html [accessed 25 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 13, 2014
By RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service
BAKU – A political activist and political adviser to Azerbaijan's opposition Musavat party has been sentenced to six years in prison for "hooliganism."
Yadigar Sadiqov, who was convicted in the southern city of Lankaran on January 13, was arrested in June, ahead of a presidential election, after a "war veteran" in Lankaran complained to police that Sadiqov had beaten him in a teahouse two days earlier.
Sadiqov said in the closing statement at his trial that he was innocent of all charges, calling the conviction a "political farce" and an effort to silence him.
Sadiqov's lawyer, Xalid Bagirov, told RFE/RL that he plans to appeal the verdict.
Rights groups claim some 145 political prisoners are currently being jailed in Azerbaijan.
With reporting by Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
