Azerbaijani activist Elxan Aliyev was sentenced on April 1 to five years in prison on fraud charges that he and his supporters have rejected as politically motivated. Aliyev’s conviction and sentencing come amid an ongoing crackdown on dissent and independent media in Azerbaijan. The Baku prosecutor's office had demanded seven years in prison for Aliyev, who is a member of the opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AXCP). Aliyev's lawyer, Nemat Karimi, told RFE/RL that his client had actually been prosecuted not for fraud and forgery, but for political reasons. He said he would appeal the verdict. To read the original story by RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani Service, click here.
