Court hearing for extremist group planning to seize customs post in Azerbaijan

A preparatory hearing was held at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes in the criminal case against Fakhreddin Shakhmurov and Jalal Muradov, accused of creating an extremist group that planned provocations, hostage-taking, and treason. The investigation was conducted by the State Security Service (SSS) of Azerbaijan.

According to Oxu.Az, the trial was presided over by Judge Elmin Rustamov. During the hearing, the defendants’ personal information was clarified. Despite receiving his secondary education in Azerbaijani, Shakhmurov was provided with a Lezgin interpreter.

Muradov’s lawyer filed a motion to replace his client’s pretrial detention with house arrest. However, the state prosecutor opposed the change.

Fakhreddin Shakhmurov’s defense attorney requested that the case be returned to the body that conducted the preliminary investigation. The reason given is that his client was not provided with a Lezgin interpreter during the investigation, which constitutes a violation of procedural rights.

None of the petitions filed were granted by the court.

A decision was made to refer the criminal case to trial, with the first hearing scheduled for October 6. Subsequent hearings will be held behind closed doors.

Fakhreddin Shakhmurov was charged under Articles 28, 282.2 (preparation for sabotage by an organized group), 28, 215.3 (preparation for hostage-taking by an organized group), 218.1 (organization of a criminal community (criminal organization)), and 281.2 (public calls against the state, committed repeatedly or by a group of persons) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Jalal Muradov and Kamran Babayev were arrested under Article 281.2. Other individuals have also been brought into the investigation.

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