Imran Aliyev says he was beaten again for talking about torture

The social activist’s appeal was rejected

Imran Aliyev, head of “Meclis.info” website, said in the court where an arrest warrant was issued for him on April 19 that he was tortured and electrocuted after being detained. Through these tortures, they forced him to sign documents.

Today – on April 24, Imran Aliyev said at the Baku Appellate Court that he was beaten again at the Khatai District Police Department after he was returned from the court for talking about the torture he suffered last time. It is reported that he still has injuries.

The Baku Appellate Court heard an appeal against the arrest warrant against Imran Aliyev. According to the decision of the Khatai District Court, a preventive measure of 2 months was chosen for the social activist who was detained a week ago. An appeal was filed against that decision.

In the Baku Appellate Court, Imran Aliyev stated that the accusation of smuggling brought against him was false. He said that he did not commit any crime, and the charges brought against him are groundless.

However, the court did not satisfy the appeal, the arrest warrant against Imran Aliyev was kept in force.

Imran Aliyev was brought to justice in the criminal case related to “AbzasMedia” publication. Like other journalists imprisoned in this case, he was charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling by a group of persons who had colluded in advance). He is accused of receiving funds through unregistered grant contracts in Azerbaijan and smuggling them into the country.

However, Imran Aliyev does not feel guilty.

Imran Aliyev was detained on his way to Turkey in the evening of April 18 and brought to the Baku City Police Department. At night, the house where he lived was searched.

Before all this happened – at noon on April 18, pro-government media, including “Qafqazinfo” website, published material against independent media and journalists. In that article, Meclis.info website and Imran Aliyev were accused.

Imran Aliyev said that what was written there was absurd and fabricated.

The press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs denied that Imran Aliyev was tortured. This institution said that what was said is baseless.

Arrests in the “AbzasMedia” case, known for its corruption investigations, began on November 20 of last year. First, the site’s director Ulvi Hasanli, deputy director Mahammad Kekalov, and editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifqizi were arrested. Later, arrests continued with investigative journalist Hafiz Babali, Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova. They are also charged with Article 206.3.2 (smuggling by a group of persons) of the Criminal Code.

The sanction of this article provides for imprisonment from 5 to 8 years.

After Ulvi Hasanli was detained on November 20, the office of “AbzasMedia” was searched. It was claimed that 40,000 euros were found in the site’s office.

Ulvi Hasanli said that there was no money there, that 40,000 euros were deposited in the office by those who claimed to have found it.

None of the named journalists plead not guilty, “AbzasMedia” said that a number of officials, including members of the President’s family, were punished for investigations related to business and corruption.

After “AbzasMedia”, head of “Kanal 13” Internet TV channel Aziz Orujov and employee of this institution Shamo Eminov were also arrested on charges of smuggling. Currently, the investigation of their case continues at the Sabail District Police Department.

On March 6, a group of Toplum TV channel employees were arrested on the same charge.

It is claimed that various amounts of money were found during the search of “Toplum” editorial office and the houses of individual employees.

They deny this accusation and say that the allegedly found money was placed by the policemen themselves who searched the houses and offices.