Trial of Ali Karimli and his deputy to begin

The trial in the criminal case against Azerbaijani Popular Front Party (APFP) Chairman Ali Karimli and his deputy, Mammad Ibrahim, is due to begin today.

“Operative Information Center-OMM” reports that the case will be heard at the Baku Grave Crimes Court by a panel chaired by Judge Vugar Guliyev.

The case against Karimli and his deputy was investigated by the Main Investigation Department of the State Security Service (SSS). They have been formally charged under Article 278.1 of the Criminal Code, which concerns actions aimed at seizing power by force.

The investigative authority is expected to send the evidence it has collected, together with the indictment, to the Baku Grave Crimes Court in the coming days.

The article carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison or, depending on the circumstances of the case, life imprisonment.

Karimli and Ibrahim were arrested last year in connection with the continuation of the criminal case involving Ramiz Mehdiyev, the former head of the Presidential Administration.

A panel chaired by Judge Murad Aslanov at the Baku Grave Crimes Court has issued a verdict in Mehdiyev’s case.

Mehdiyev was sentenced to 14 years in prison. The court applied Article 70 of the Criminal Code, which provides for a suspended sentence.

Taking into account Mehdiyev’s existing illnesses, health and age, the court ruled under Article 70 that the prison sentence would be suspended.

The verdict also states that a submission will be sent for consideration of whether Mehdiyev should be stripped of his state awards.

In addition, the court ordered the special confiscation of Mehdiyev’s property in favor of the state.