19:21, 12 August 2021

Oppositionist detained in Baku on criminal case

Agil Gumbatov. Screenshot of his video message to President Ilham Aliev on March 13, 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qh0LMm-tKug

Policemen have detained Agil Gumbatov, a member of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), in connection with the inquiry into the case of wounding a Baku resident. Agil's wife has linked his detention with criticism of authorities.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 30, 2020, Gumbatov was sent for compulsory treatment to a psychiatric clinic. His associates believed that the reason was in Gumbatov's criticism of the authorities. On July 1, 2020, the activist was discharged from the clinic.

On March 29, 2020, Gumbatov criticized Azerbaijani authorities by posting a video message to President Ilham Aliev on Facebook. He accused authorities that because of absence of funds he could not cure his sick child and support his family.

Agil Gumbatov disappeared on August 11, said his wife, Aigun Gumbatova. According to her story, the police said that her husband had been detained on suspicion of committing a criminal offense.

The press service of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has explained that Gumbatov "had inflicted knife wounds on the local resident because of a personal conflict."

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 12, 2021 at 11:30 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Faik Medjid

Source: CK correspondent