Attorney involved in the defense of political prisoners detained and interrogated
Fariz Namazli, an attorney specializing in the defense of human rights and representing dozens of political prisoners, was detained on August 31 at around 9 PM Baku time while at a café with friends. He was taken to the State Security Service and interrogated as a witness for over three hours. After his detention became public, he was released.
On September 1, the attorney confirmed through his social media account that he had been questioned as a witness in a criminal case at the State Security Service (SSS). He added that he could not provide any information regarding the criminal case he was questioned about.
Fariz Namazli stated that although he was questioned as a witness, he was taken in the same manner as they would take suspects.
According to Fariz Namazli, being detained after working hours without any prior summons and having his phone confiscated is equivalent to being arrested.
Fariz Namazli told local media that if it was necessary to question him as a witness, they could have invited him to the State Security Service (SSS) during working hours with prior notice. “They detained me, took my phone. During that time, my phone was with SSS officers. Although I was questioned as a witness, I was taken like a suspect. What happened to me is, in fact, equivalent to being detained,” he noted.
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