AI treats verdict to Siraj Kerimli as politically motivated

The international human rights organization "Amnesty International" (AI) has treated the verdict to Siraj Kerimli, a brother of the oppositional activist Faraj Kerimli, as just another nail into the coffin of the freedom of speech in Azerbaijan.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 16 the Baku Court of Grave Crimes sentenced Siraj Kerimli, a brother of Faraj Kerimli, an activist of the "Musavat" Party, to six years in prison on charges of drug dealing. Siraj Kerimli would not plead guilty.

The arrests of Kerimli brothers occurred after Faraj posted on the Facebook his new critical articles about the government of Azerbaijan, says the AI's statement, received today by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"The charges against Siraj Kerimli are a clear answer of Azerbaijani authorities to the political activities of his brother and his criticism of the government," said Denis Krivosheev, Deputy Director of the AI's Programme for Europe and Central Asia.

The AI sees a "new frightening trend" in Siraj Kerimli'a case.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.