NIDA Youth Movement, Elgiz Qahreman, had been missing for four days until August 15th.
According to recently received information, Elgiz Qahreman has been placed in four month detention for alleged possession, production, sale and intent to distribute narcotics. The accusations against him were announced on August 13th in the afternoon by Narimanov district court.
He is currently being held in the Department Against Organized Crime under the auspices of the Ministry of Domestic Affairs.
If convicted, he could face from 5 to 12 years imprisonment. Qahreman’s lawyers have stated they will appeal the decision.
According to information supplied by NIDA Youth Movement, Qahreman and a friend were taken into detention by unknown persons and taken the Ministry of Authority’s Department Against Organized Crime on the 12th of August.
On the same day of his arrest, it was reported by local Azerbaijani media that E. Qahreman was a supporter of Fethullah Gulen, who is accused by both the Azerbaijani and Turkish governments of having conspired to overthrow the Turkish government in July’s failed coup.
ReAL executive secretary, Natiq Jafarli and Bakhtiyar Hajiyev – a well – known Azerbaijani blogger and activist – have also been arrested within the past few days. It is speculated that their arrests signify a new wave of government oppression before the upcoming September 26 constitutional referendum.
