Prison and Restriction Sentences Handed Down for Demonstrators
A court in Imishli has issued verdicts against individuals detained for protesting a fatal traffic accident involving the State Traffic Police (DYP), which resulted in the deaths of three children and serious injury to another person.
On July 3, under the chairmanship of Judge Zaur Pirverdiyev, the Imishli District Court sentenced several individuals to either imprisonment or restriction of freedom.
Sentences:
- Nazim Aliyev: 1 year imprisonment (conditionally suspended under Article 70 of the Criminal Code)
- Taleh Mammadov: 4 years imprisonment
- Ruslan Guliyev: 2 years imprisonment
- Kenan Mejdunov: 4 years imprisonment
- Rahib Rzayev: 4 years imprisonment
Restriction of freedom:
- Canpolad Aliyev: 1 year
- Huseyn Jabbarli: 3 years
- Elman Ibrahimov: 1 year
- Sanan Aliyev: 1 year and 6 months
- Vugar Usubli: 2 years
- Abbas Baghirov: 1 year and 6 months
- Rahib Tagiyev: 3 years
- Elkhan Azimov: 1 year and 6 months
- Farid Seyidzade: 3 years
- Goshgar Mammadov: 3 years
- Eldar Agazade: 1 year
- Elnur Babayev: 2 years
- Rasif Babayev: 4 years
- Shamil Safarov: 2 years
Background: What Happened in Imishli?
On January 18, 2025, a DYP vehicle was involved in a deadly traffic accident in Imishli, striking four schoolchildren. Two died at the scene and two others were hospitalized. One of the hospitalized children later died on January 22. The driver of the police vehicle was also injured.
The Interior Ministry released video footage of the accident showing another vehicle cutting in front of the police car, but the video had been slowed down, making it difficult to determine the police car’s speed. The perception that the vehicle was speeding and the victims were minors sparked public outrage.
Hundreds of residents, particularly youth, took to the streets, overturned the police vehicle, and marched toward the Imishli District Police Department shouting slogans demanding resignations.
The Interior Ministry responded by stating that protestors were detained on charges of hooliganism. Over 100 people were reported to have been detained. Most were sentenced to administrative detention of up to one month under Articles 510 (minor hooliganism) and 535.1 (disobeying police orders) of the Code of Administrative Offenses.
In the days following the protests, Imishli was under heightened security. Police were stationed around government buildings, parks, and public squares. Reports on social media suggested that internal troops were deployed and internet access in the city was cut off.
On January 22, the Imishli District Court ordered three months of pre-trial detention for several individuals on charges of group hooliganism under Article 221.2.1 of the Criminal Code.
To date, there has been no official information regarding whether the DYP officer responsible for the accident has been held accountable. Social media claims allege that the officer is the nephew of a former MP and millionaire, Ahad Ahmadov.
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