Court refuses to release Gezyal Bairamly from custody

The Azerbaijani Court has dismissed the defence's motion to transfer Gezyal Bairamly, the deputy chair of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), under house arrest for health reasons.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 25, Gezyal Bairamly was detained when she was returning from Georgia and arrested on the charge of smuggling.

Today, the Nasimi District Court of Baku has considered the defence's motion to transfer Gezyal Bairamly under house arrest, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by advocate Asabali Mustafaev.

"During the investigation, the Prosecutor's Office explained the Gezyal Bairamly's detention by stating that she might avoid investigators and put pressure on witnesses. However, at present, the preliminary investigation has been completed, and it makes no sense to put pressure on witnesses. In general, it is difficult to imagine how Gezyal Bairamly could put pressure on witnesses who were law enforcers. We requested the Court to release Gezyal Bairamly from custody at least for humanitarian reasons. She has got problems with her knee joints. And recently she got pain in her stomach," Asabali Mustafaev has explained.

However, the Court has dismissed the motion. The advocate announced the intention to file an appeal against the Court's decision.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.