Partially Paralyzed Azerbaijani Activist Remanded In Custody As Case Hearings Start

A Baku court ruled that partially paralyzed Azerbaijani activist Famil Xalilov must remain in detention as preliminary hearings into his case began on August 29. Xalilov was arrested in early May on a charge of possessing a large amount of illegal drugs with a goal to sell them. Xalilov rejects the charge as politically motivated. The activist, who has been known for criticism of the South Caucasus nation’s government, has been on hunger strike since August 15, protesting his arrest. His lawyers have insisted that their client must be transferred to house arrest due to his medical condition.