Razi Humbatov, a member of the Muslim Union Movement, was sentenced to six years in prison on May 20, by the Baku Court of Grave Crimes. He was convicted of possession and sale of large quantities of drugs. Humbatov denies it, arguing that his detention was political. The day before, he had posted on his Facebook “Ilham Aliyev, the people do not love you”.
On May 20, a number of religious and socio-political activists who had come to view the trial of Humbatov before his sentencing were detained in front of the courthouse. They were taken to Nasimi district, 22nd police station. Five members of the Muslim Union Movement were sentenced to 30 days of administrative detention each.
They all claim that they were tortured on the way and at the police station, where they were severely beaten and suffered numerous life threats.
One of the Muslim Union Members detained said he did not know why he had been tortured, even though he had not taken any illegal action. “We have gone to court before and we did not expect such a thing. It is an open trial, anyone can participate”, he adds.
Meydan TV inquired Interior Ministry spokesman Ehsan Zahidov about the incident.
In response, he affirmed the allegations are false. According to Zahidov, a group of people unnecessarily gathered in front of the court, made noise and created serious obstacles to the movement of vehicles and pedestrians. Because of that, the religious activists needed to be removed from the venue.
