Son of Azerbaijani oppositionist accused of spreading COVID-19

After the protest action in Baku, Mekhti Ibragim, a son of Mamed Ibragim, a member of the Presidium of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), was arrested for three months on charges of spreading the coronavirus infection. The oppositionist treats the accusation as far-fetched and links the persecution of his son with his father's political activities.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that at night on July 15, a non-sanctioned march took place in Baku in support of the Azerbaijani Army, which ended in activists' clashes with the police. The PFPA reported that several activists were detained after the action.

Mekhti Ibragim was detained early in the morning on July 15, after a rally in support of the Azerbaijani Army, Mamed Ibragim, a member of the PFPA Presidium, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"Yesterday (July 21), I learned that a case was initiated against my son under Articles 139-1.1 and 139-1.1 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan (violation of the anti-epidemic, sanitary-hygienic and quarantine regime, which caused the spread of the disease or created a threat thereof); allegedly, my son, infected with coronavirus, broke his quarantine obligations and came to the action," Mamed Ibragim said.

He treats the accusation as far-fetched. "No doctor had examined Mekhti and placed him under quarantine," the father explained.

According to his story, this charge was brought against his son "due to the absence of other grounds for bringing him to justice."

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 22, 2020 at 07:30 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.