17:16, 10 December 2018

Court upholds sentence to Azerbaijani activist Bakhyshly

Orkhan Bahyshly (in the centre). Photo by the press service of the Institute for Peace and Democracy http://ipdthinktank.org/Orhan_bahisli_ru.html

The Baku Court of Appeal (BCA) refused to satisfy the complaint against the verdict against the oppositionist Orkhan Bahyshly, sentenced to six years in prison on charges of drug possession. Orkhan insists on the political background of his case.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Orkhan Bakhyshly, an activist of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), arrested on May 9 on charges of drug dealing, on September 18, was sentenced to six years in prison.

Orkhan Bakhyshly is included in the list of 128 political prisoners, released on September 1 by a group of Azerbaijani human rights defenders. "This young man has actively participated in protests. His criminal prosecution began three days after his speech at the grave of journalist Elmar Guseinov, the responsibility of whose murder he placed on the authorities," Ogtai Gyulyalyev, the coordinator of the Centre for the Protection of Political Prisoners, has stated.

Orkhan's defence intends to file a complaint with the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan.

Ali Kerimli, the PFPA leader, treats the persecution of Bakhyshly as "regime's repression against a dissident."

Elshan Gasanov, the coordinator of the union "For the Freedom of Political Prisoners" of Azerbaijan, has named the accusation of drug dealing to be typical for harassing young activists.

Kyamalya Ragimli, the mother of Orkhan Bakhyshly, said that her son has parted with his girlfriend because of his political activities. "Orkhan wants to see Azerbaijan as a free and democratic country ... For the sake of his convictions, he is ready to withstand any hardships," said the mother.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 10, 2018 at 03:56 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Faik Medjid

Source: CK correspondent