Embassy: Charges against two Azerbaijanis arrested in Kyiv contain bias

The Azerbaijani embassy in Ukraine has said that charges brought against two Azerbaijanis on orders from individuals of Armenian origin contain some biased points.

The embassy made the remarks in a statement distributed to comment on the trial and arrest of Azerbaijani citizens Misir Gasimli and Subhan Guliyev in Kyiv, Caliber.Az reports, citing Azertag.

"The embassy has worked to clarify the issue that the charges were brought by order of individuals of Armenian origin, as well as the issue of several biased points and offences committed during the investigation and trial," the statement said.

The statement noted that "expressions of concern were sent by the embassy to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. In total, 10 notes were sent to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, numerous letters were addressed to other institutions, and the process was constantly in the focus of the embassy's attention. After receiving information on the issue, the embassy participated in all meetings [except one appeal meeting, of which the embassy was not informed]”.

Azerbaijani citizens Misir Gasimli and Subhan Guliyev were sentenced to eight years in prison by a decision of the Obukhiv district court of Kyiv region on December 6.

"Misir Gasimli and Subhan Guliyev, accused on the basis of a complaint by a British citizen under a series of articles of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, were detained on June 9, 2021. After Misir Gasimli’s family members informed the embassy, we took the necessary measures on the matter. Misir Gasimli and his family members were contacted by phone, and meetings were held with his lawyer and relatives on several occasions,” the statement reads.