Three Azeri opposition figures jailed over April protest
Three Azerbaijani opposition figures have been jailed for 2 1/2 years over an antigovernment protest in April that was broken up by police, Radio Liberty reports.
Arif Hajili, deputy head of the opposition Musavat Party; Tural Abbasli, who heads Musavat's youth organization; and opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP) member Mahammad Majidli were sentenced on charges of attempting to violate public order and resisting officials.
The lawyer for another opposition figure, APFP Deputy Chairman Fuad Qahramanli, said his client received a two-year suspended sentence.
Dozens of opposition supporters, including APFP Chairman Ali Karimli and Musavat leader Isa Qambar, gathered in front of the Sebail district court, which was surrounded by dozens of policemen. Activists chanted "Freedom!"
Six other activists arrested on April 2 were jailed on August 25 for between 1 1/2 and three years. The trial of four more continues. All reject the charges against them as politically motivated.
Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.
Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.
By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.
You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper
Thank you!