NGO Leader Delivers Defiant Courtroom Statement

Anar Mammadli, head of the Democracy and Human Rights Resource Center, delivered a lengthy statement during his trial this week rejecting all charges against him. Mammadli faces charges of tax evasion and illegal entrepreneurship which prosecutors say relate to foreign grant funding.

In his statement he called the prosecution a warning to all civil society and said he would not plea bargain. The trial is being closely watched as a test case for how authorities handle NGO leaders.

JAMnews reported that international observers were denied access to the courtroom despite prior arrangements with the Justice Ministry.