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One of the arrested activists of NIDA in Azerbaijan Shaheen Novruzlu stated during a regular court session, that he was tortured at the Ministry of National Security, writes the Azerbaijani news agency "Turan".

"I was beaten, they threatened my family, and knocked out my four teeth. A man called Qasim Mamedov did all of this with me," said Novruzlu.

According to the agency, responding to questions from the public prosecutor and lawyers, he reminded that when giving primary evidence he had not yet reached adulthood. He confirmed the testimony given on September 27, 2013, where he dismissed the charges.

He stated that the interrogation of a minor must be in the presence of only a legal representative, someone from the family or else it is violation of law. Further, Novruzlu refused to answer questions of the prosecutor.

At the beginning of the trial another defendant Ilkin Rustamzade made an oral request, and asked permission for making audio and video recordings of the process. He also pointed out on the groundlessness of the decision of his arrest of not extending his arrest without a judicial decision. His appeal was rejected, the article reads.

Turan notes that the young people are charged with preparing riots in protest at Fountain Square on March 10. They were also charged with illegal possession of weapons, drugs and disorderly conduct. International human rights organization Amnesty International recognized all the accused “prisoners of conscience.”