Asif Ahmadov Speaks in Court: "The Prosecution Wants to Punish Me for Doing Work"

Another court session has been held for Asif Ahmadov. He is the head of the Ganja Regional Community Center. He was arrested as part of the "NGO case."

This happened at the Ganja Serious Crimes Court on May 8. Asif Ahmadov finished giving his testimony.

His daughter, Aysu Ahmadova shared this news on media.

Aysu Ahmadova said that during the trial Asif Ahmadov spoke out. He did not want his standing public work, teaching career and cooperation with communities to be seen as a crime.

In his testimony he said that his right to choose which contract to sign was taken away.

"The law says I can choose which contract to sign. I chose to sign a 'Service Contract' instead of a 'Grant.' This is my right. No investigator can choose for me. I read the charges and wondered: Has the investigation abolished the freedom to choose contracts?"

Asif Ahmadov said that the charges against him are not based on evidence. He said the indictment was prepared on purpose to distort the truth.

He also said that the principle of equality was broken. He was selectively prosecuted.

"I ask the prosecution: out of 25 people working under the contract why was only I charged and arrested? What is the reason for this? Who needs this? Why am I seen as a 'member of a group' but working with others is not a crime?"

He called the "group crime" charges groundless.

"The prosecution says I conspired with people. If they could not find out who they are or what we agreed on how can they claim we exist. I conspired with them? This is not evidence; it is made-up. 'Group crime' is usually done for profit. You say I worked with people to 'launder' hundreds of thousands. If such a group and money exist why did I pawn my engagement rings to pay for my childs tuition? Which member of a group would pawn gold to take a loan? This destroys your 'organized group' claim."

Asif Ahmadov added that the investigation looked into his familys bank transactions. However it ignored their debts.

"The investigator checked bank accounts in my name and my family members names. They even looked at my childs student stipend and another childs public transport charges. However they ignored the facts. That my residence is under a bank mortgage I have loan debts and our engagement rings are in a pawnshop."

Asif Ahmadov rejected the money laundering charges.

"To clean money the parties must know it is 'dirty.' The investigation claims that the funds I received from the U.S. Embassy and international organizations are 'dirty money.' My activities were not secret or illegal; they were cooperation with international organizations. Gaining the trust of the U.S. Embassy is not a crime; it shows my professionalism and reliability.

If the goal was to break the law why would I use a bank account and pay 13,200 manats in taxes?"

He said presenting public work as a crime is unacceptable.

"The charge of 'using ones position as an official' against me lacks a foundation. The investigative body portrays my spending of funds for purposes as 'abuse of official powers.' Adding this status to the indictment is an attempt to present my beneficial work as a serious crime. I repeat: my status is not that of an 'official' but a public activist. It seems the prosecution wants to punish me for doing work?"

He addressed the court.

"I do not ask for mercy; I ask for justice. The states foundation must be law and justice. Without this there is no foundation for the state. Faith in the state comes through faith in the law, justice and truth."

Aysu Ahmadova stated that the next court process is expected to be the final session.

Asif Ahmadov is one of the individuals prosecuted under the "NGO case." Around 15 representatives of society have been held criminally liable so far.

Some of the accused are currently in custody. These include Bashir Suleymanli, Mammad Alpay, Asif Ahmadov, Zamin Zaki and Ahmad Mammadli.

On March 11 activist Zamin Zaki was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months, in prison.

The accused consider the charges groundless and politically motivated.