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Azerbaijani oppositionist suspected of drug trafficking
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[KavkazUzel] A member of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, Shahin Hajiyev, was detained on suspicion of drug trafficking, police said. The activist is being persecuted for his political activities, Hajiyev's party members suggested.

A member of the Ganja branch of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) Shahin Hajiyev was detained on November 26, but his relatives were not told what he was suspected of, head of the PFPA press service Natig Adilov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent today .

"Shahin Hajiyev was taken from his home on November 26, handcuffed. He was searched. Official information is not given to his family from the police. According to our information, they want to bring Hajiyev to criminal charges in connection with drugs. Judging by the fact that there is no court decision on arrest, he does not give confessions.

Hajiyev's rights are grossly violated: 48 hours have passed since the arrest, he had to either be released, or by a court decision to choose a measure of restraint, "said the representative of the party.

He linked the detention of Hajiyev with his political activities.

"Shahin Hajiyev works as a chess coach, but he is a man with an active civil position. He is one of the most active members of our party in Ganja. He is also active on social networks. He has already been detained several times this year, twice subjected to administrative arrests. Now, apparently, they decided to punish severely," said Natig Adilov.

The party believes that "the authorities continue repressions against the Popular Front Party," added the head of the press service. "Currently, eight PFPA activists are being held in prisons. They were arrested on trumped-up charges. There are people who are serving a suspended sentence. In addition, this year, dozens of activists were administratively arrested," he said.

Hajiyev was detained as a suspect in the drug trafficking case, a spokesman for the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent .

"An investigation is underway," he added succinctly.

It should be reminded that on October 25, PFPA member Malik Rzayev was detained in Sumgait on suspicion of drug possession. According to the investigation, drugs were found on Rzayev, but he denied the charge and stated that he was forced to testify under torture .

On October 23, PFPA activist Mutallim Orudzhev was detained and then arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking. The activist himself rejected  the charge in court, claiming that he had confessed under torture.

The PFPA also called politically motivated the persecution of Ramiz Jafarov, a member of the Binagadi branch of the party, who was arrested on November 3 for 25 days on charges of disobeying the police. Recently, Jafarov took part in actions in defense of political prisoners, the party explained.


Posted by: badanov 2021-11-30
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=618713