Member of NIDA Civic Movement Mammad Azizov sent a complaint to the European Court to investigate cases of torture, his lawyer Fariz Namazli told Meydan TV. According to Namazli, Azizov has been beaten and tortured in Sabail Police Department No.9 during his arrest on January 11, 2013 and in the Ministry of National Security during his consecutive arrest on March 7 and March 15, 2013.
General Prosecutor’s Office dismissed Azizov’s motion to open a criminal case in connection with the torture on June 4, 2013. The decision was upheld by the Sabail Court and Baku Court of Appeal. Following the decision, Azizov appealed to the European Court of Human Rights, asking for recognition and fair compensation based on the article No.3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (prohibition of torture).
Azizov is charged with articles No.228.1 of the Criminal Code (illegal possession of weapons, explosives and equipment acquisition, storage, transportation of firearms ) and 234.1 (illegal purchase, possession or sale of drugs) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. He did not plead guilty.
