One more activist of opposition condemned on false charge

Photo: RFE/RL

The Sumgayit city’s court sentenced the youth activist of the opposition Popular Front Party, Jabbar Savalan to 2.5 years in jail for illegal storage of drugs today. The day before the Public Prosecutor asked to sentence the youth to 3 years.


 In his last word Savalan said: “Today bread and freedom are distributed simultaneously. I choose freedom though they have thrown me into prison. Despite this, I feel better.” When the judge read the sentence, Savalan’s supporters began to cry out “Shame on the court!” and “Freedom to Savalan!”

Then policemen and people in civilian dress detained the young oppositionists, including the leader of the PFPA youth section, Abulfaz Gurbanly. They seized his video camera and beat him. Pressure was also exerted on journalists, in particular, on the reporter of Radio Liberty, whose camera was also withdrawn.

 The arrest of Savalan has increased the number of political prisoners in Azerbaijan. Jabbar Savalan was arrested in Sumgayit on February, 5th and charged with illegal storage of drugs. However the true reason for his prosecution was his active participation in the opposition’s protest actions, in particular, in the January, 20th march to the Avenue of Martyrs.