Azerbaijan protests against tougher punishment for political prisoner

Family members of the convicted activist of the movement "Muslim unity" Abbas Hussein held a protest in front of the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan. They protested against the court's decision to send a political prisoner from the colony to a closed prison. The defense believes that the court violated Hussein's right to a fair trial (Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights) and intends to file a cassation appeal with the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan.

The head of the Muslim Union movement Taleh Bagirzade, his associate Abbas Hussein and other religious figures were detained on November 26, 2015. They were found guilty of terrorism, illegal possession of weapons and attempting to forcefully change the constitutional order and sentenced to 12 to 19 years in prison. Abbas Hussein was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He and a number of other activists of the movement were recognized as political prisoners.

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