On February 2, a trial was held for Niyamaddin Ahmadov, a member of the opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, at Baku Appeal Court. Ahmadov was arrested for 15 years in October 2021 on charge of terrorism.
At the appeal trial, Ahmadov’s lawyer Zibayda Sadigova spoke, deeming the ruling on Ahmadov as “unlawful” and “baseless” and asking the court to exonerate Ahmadov.
Afterwards, Ahmadov gave a defence speech. Ahmadov argued that he was subject to tortures during his time in police custody so that he would give testimonies against Ali Karimli, chairman of the Party and for whom Ahmadov served as a bodyguard.
“The purpose was to arrest Ali Karimli. They have tortured me so many ways, done so disgraceful acts. They put hood on my head and beat me up. They punched with sticks under my feet. They stepped on my testicles with their shoes on. Then they removed my pants. They said they were going to rape me. I still didn’t agree [to sign fake testimonies].”
The next trial is scheduled for March 2.
