BAKU -- A political activist and political adviser to Azerbaijan's opposition Musavat party has been sentenced to six years in prison for "hooliganism."
Yadigar Sadiqov, who was convicted in the southern city of Lankaran on January 13, was arrested in June, ahead of a presidential election, after a "war veteran" in Lankaran complained to police that Sadiqov had beaten him in a teahouse two days earlier.
Sadiqov said in the closing statement at his trial that he was innocent of all charges, calling the conviction a "political farce" and an effort to silence him.
Sadiqov's lawyer, Xalid Bagirov, told RFE/RL that he plans to appeal the verdict.
Rights groups claim some 145 political prisoners are currently being jailed in Azerbaijan.
Yadigar Sadiqov, who was convicted in the southern city of Lankaran on January 13, was arrested in June, ahead of a presidential election, after a "war veteran" in Lankaran complained to police that Sadiqov had beaten him in a teahouse two days earlier.
Sadiqov said in the closing statement at his trial that he was innocent of all charges, calling the conviction a "political farce" and an effort to silence him.
Sadiqov's lawyer, Xalid Bagirov, told RFE/RL that he plans to appeal the verdict.
Rights groups claim some 145 political prisoners are currently being jailed in Azerbaijan.
