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Today Lankaran court on grave crimes issued a verdict against Murad Adilov, activist of Popular Front Party (PFPA), in Azerbaijan. He was found guilty under Article 234.4.3 (large-scale drug trafficking) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, and is sentenced to 6 years in prison. The prosecutor requested 7 years’ imprisonment for Adilov, information agency Turan reports.

In his final word Adilov said that his persecution was politically motivated because of his brother Natig Adilov’s opposition and journalistic work. The latter is the host of the online TV program “Azerbaijan Hour.” During his arrest and prosecution he was repeatedly asked about his brother’s activity. Adilov said that his family members are persecuted for freedom of expression. Further, he highlighted that the prison sentence will not break him and he will not give up his political views.

The lawyer Yalchin Imanov told Turan’s correspondent that the verdict was groundless, illegal and unfair. Bringing in the verdict, the court was driven by the subjective conclusions of the prosecution rather than on the evidence. If the court relied on the judicial investigation, it would acquit Adilov. As regards the preliminary investigation, the defense’s appeal remained completely ignored. The prosecution was not able to bring evidence of Adilov’s possession of the drugs found at his home, as well as “found” in his clothes, the lawyer says.

Murad Adilov was detained in Sabirabad district on August 11, 2014. He is the brother of Natig Adilov, the correspondent of the newspaper Azadlig and the PFPA leader’s spokesperson. Following his brother’s arrest, Natig Adilov had to leave Azerbaijan and get an asylum in France because of the persecutions and pressures.