Participants of Baku action in support of army plead not guilty in court

In Baku, a court has begun a consideration of a case instituted against participants of a rally in support of the army. The defendants pleaded not guilty, and the opposition claimed the prosecution was politically motivated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 15, 2020, in Baku, a march in support of the Azerbaijani army took place, which ended in clashes with the police. After the action, 48 activists of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) were arrested. Out of the 37 defendants accused of violating public order, 31 were placed under house arrest, the "Union for the Freedom of Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan" (UFPPA) reported.

The number of the defendants includes 16 PFPA members, two members of the movement "Muslim Unity", a member of the Movement for Democracy and Prosperity, and the rest are non-partisan, the PFPA's press service reports.

Mamed Ibragim, one of the defendants, a member of the PFPA Presidium, said that electronic bracelets were too hard to wear them on legs. "We asked them to replace the bracelets, but they ignored our request. We did not commit any crimes," the activist said.

"The trial is part of a campaign of pressure on us. This is a political show," stated Asif Yusifli, a member of the PFPA Presidium.