Additional Name(s): Şahin Qədirov

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Azerbaijan

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a

Reports of Torture: Yes

Sentence: 3 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February/14/2024

Date of Sentencing: February/14/2024

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Drug Trafficking & Illicit Drug Use

Shahin Gadirov

Extra Bio Info:

Shahin Gadirov is imprisoned for his religious association and activity.

On November 23, 2022, authorities arrested Gadirov, a member of the Muslim Unity Movement (MUM), on his way home from work. According to MUM, Gadirov's arrest was meant to "pressure" the organization. Gadirov was charged with "illegally purchasing or storing with a view of selling, manufacturing, processing, transporting, transferring or selling of narcotics or psychotropic substances in large amount" (Art. 234.4.3 ACC).

In 2023, Gadirov was placed under house arrest.

On February 14, 2024, the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced Gadirov to three years in prison for "Illegally purchasing or storing without a purpose of selling narcotics or psychotropic substances in a quantity (amount) exceeding necessary for personal consumption" (Art. 234.1 ACC). Gadirov's defense team claimed that he had been tortured into confessing. Gadirov was taken into custody following the verdict.

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