One of the opposition leaders was sentenced to a long term in Azerbaijan
A court in Baku sentenced one of the leaders of the opposition movements - the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF) and the Musavat Party - Tofig Yagublu to nine years in prison. He pointed to the lack of evidence and falsification of the criminal case.
Yagublu is known for criticizing the Azerbaijani authorities. At the end of 2023, he was arrested on charges of fraud and forgery of documents. Before that, the politician had been repeatedly subjected to criminal and administrative prosecution. International organizations recognized him as a prisoner of conscience. In the pre-trial detention center, Tofig Yagublu repeatedly went on hunger strike.
“Since 1993, I have had no rights. How long can they arrest me on false charges? Not a single judge has made a fair decision,” the activist was indignant.
Earlier, the leading opposition party, the Popular Front of Azerbaijan (PFA), stated that the country's authorities were not releasing political prisoners, but were increasing their number with new arrests.
