The head of the PFPA youth committee has been arrested for 20 days.

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A Baku court has arrested Emil Salim, head of the youth committee of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, for 20 days. His associates have called the arrest politically motivated.

As reported by the Caucasian Knot, last November, State Security Service officers detained Ali Karimli and his advisor, Mammad Ibrahim, a member of the Presidium of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA). Both opposition figures were arrested for 2.5 months. Karimli was charged under Article 278.1 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan (actions aimed at the violent seizure of power or the violent change of the constitutional order of the state). He denied the charges and called his criminal case political persecution. On February 9, Karimli's arrest was extended by four months. On February 12, the State Security Service of Azerbaijan announced the uncovering of a conspiracy against the country's authorities involving former high-ranking officials and members of the Azerbaijani opposition. Among the defendants in the case are former head of the presidential administration Ramiz Mehdiyev and PFPA leader Ali Kerimli.

On February 13, the Yasamal District Court of Baku ordered the arrest of Emil Salim, head of the youth committee of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, for 20 days, finding him guilty under Article 388-1.1.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Azerbaijan (posting or failing to obstruct the dissemination of prohibited information on an online information resource), the PFPA press service told a Caucasian Knot correspondent.

"Apparently, Emil Salim was charged for his online publications. We do not yet know the specific post in question. But we are convinced that the accusation is trumped up. Emil is always polite and has never allowed himself to publish unethical or illegal publications. "Arrests of PFPA members and other activists under Article 388-1.1.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses have become a trend recently," said a party representative.

Ramid Nagiyev, head of the Binagadi district branch of the PFPA, told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent details of Salim's arrest.

"The car Emil was driving was being followed by unknown individuals since the morning. After some time, they created a dangerous situation and blocked Emil's path. They introduced themselves as employees of the prosecutor's office. Emil demanded that they present their documents, but they refused. They then detained Emil's car, this time involving traffic police. Emil was told that he should follow them, stating that he would be released in two hours. However, it later turned out that Emil was arrested without any grounds," Nagiyev said.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs was unavailable for comment. A duty officer at the Yasamal Court confirmed Salim's 30-day arrest.

Teymur Salakhov, a member of the Binagadi district branch of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, was arrested for 10 days on January 17 in the Goychay district of the country. On January 19, Shamil Jafarov, a member of the party's district branch, was arrested for 15 days in the Yevlakh district. The party announced their arreste for comments on social media and considered these politically motivated punishments.