The prosecutor’s office investigation concluded that there were no signs of torture in the pictures of political activist Tofig Yagublu spread on social media, in which he had visible bruises and marks on his face.
The decision was published after a long delay.
Tofig Yagublu told Meydan TV that the Sabail District Prosecutor’s Office refused to open a criminal case on his complaint about torture. The political activist stated that he did not expect a fair result from the prosecutor’s office because he was sure that the order was given by President Ilham Aliyev.
Tofig Yagublu’s lawyer, Nemat Karimli, told Meydan TV that the decision was unfounded and illegal. He stressed that ruling will be appealed to the court and added that, if no fair decision is made, the case will be sent to the European Court of Human Rights.
Tofig Yagublu was detained by police in Fountain Square on December 1 during a protest rally in Baku demanding the release of Saleh Rustamli, who was on hunger strike. He was found in Alat settlement, Garadagh district in the evening. Yagublu affirmed that he was taken away and tortured by police.
His lawyer filed a complaint with the prosecutor’s office on the day after the events. Both Yagublu and his lawyer were then interrogated at the Sabail District Prosecutor’s Office, where the scene was inspected and Yagublu was submitted to a physical examination.
The Interior Ministry has also denied allegations that Tofig Yagublu was tortured by police. The head of the ministry’s press service, Elshad Hajiyev, said after the incident that the allegations that the political activist was beaten at the police station and subjected to special pressure were unfounded.
