EURASIA INSIGHT
AZERBAIJAN: DEFENSE HITS SNAGS IN YOUTH ACTIVIST TRIAL

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Mina Miradova 10/07/09

The presiding judge in the trial of two Azerbaijani youth activists
rebuffed a fresh motion to set the pair free on bail. Trial testimony
on October 7 dealt an additional setback to the defense, as an expert
witness failed to clearly corroborate the defendants’ contention that
they did not assault two individuals in a Baku café back in July.

As the court session got under way, defense attorney Elton Guliyev
motioned for the defendants — youth activists Emin Milli and Adnan
Hajizade — to be set free on bail for the duration of the
trial. Guliyev characterized the authorities’ decision to keep the
pair in administrative detention as a miscarriage of justice. The
attorney argued that neither Milli nor Hajizade posed a flight
risk. He also cautioned the court that he would file suit in the
European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, if the
defendants’ latest bail request was rejected.

Presiding Judge Araz Huseynov considered the motion briefly behind
close doors before returning to the court and denying it.

During the questioning of witnesses on October 7, the defense sought
to poke holes in the prosecution’s case, which has already been
undermined by vague testimony given by government witnesses, including
two men who were allegedly assaulted by Milli and Hajizade. [For
background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Although they find themselves on trial, Milli and Hajizade insist that
they were the actual victims of an unprovoked attack carried out by
the purported victims, Vusal Mammadov and Baber Huseynov.

A forensic expert called by the defense, Madjid Mammadov, gave
unclear, confusing answers about whether or not Vusal Mammadov
suffered head trauma stemming for the brawl. A clear-cut assertion
that Vusal Mammadov had not suffered injuries would have greatly
bolstered the defendants’ case.

Defense attorney Guliyev earlier highlighted that a doctor who
examined Vusal Mammadov had noted that his "appearance is normal,
speech is coherent, walking is normal." Guliyev argued that the
physician saw no sign of injuries later described by Madjid Mammadov.

Judge Huseynov later denied a petition for nine additional defense
witnesses, who were reportedly ready to testify that Hajizade and
Milli had themselves gone to police to complain about the alleged
attack by Vusal Mammadov and Baber Huseynov. Only one witness was
permitted to take the stand; the individual claimed that police had
briefly detained him when he headed back to the café to retrieve
Hajizade’s bag.

Prosecutors have been asked to call the alleged victims of the fight
— Mammadov and Huseynov — for fresh testimony when the trial resumes
on October 9.

Editor’s Note: Mina Miradova is a freelance writer based in Baku.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress