Azerbaijani oppositionist Gumbatov complains about beating by law enforcers

Agil Gumbatov, an activist of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, signed a confession after the beatings, an advocate of the oppositionist claimed to the Prosecutor’s Office.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on August 11, Agil Gumbatov, a member of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), was detained in a case on stabbing a resident of the village of Zirya near Baku. The oppositionist’s spouse believes that her husband was forced to sign a confession.

Today, advocate Nemat Kerimli has visited Agil Gumbatov in a SIZO (pre-trial prison). “Agil Gumbatov claimed that he was beaten and threatened with rape at the Khazar District police department and that he had to sign some testimony. Today, I have sent [by mail] his complaint to the Khazar District Prosecutor’s Office to investigate the fact of physical pressure in the police,” the advocate told the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent.

Agil Gumbatov pleads not guilty. “Agil Gumbatov said that he did not stab the person who was recognized as a victim,” the advocate said. However, the defender refused to disclose the details, so as not to violate the secrecy of the investigation.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 16, 2021 at 06:57 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.