"APFP has been engaged in such provocations since its establishment. They falsely said that they allegedly beat someone at the rally and cut off Ali Karimli's internet."
Siyavush Novruzov, MP of Milli Majlis, told Pravda.az about the allegations that the phone line of Ali Karimli, chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, was deliberately cut off by the government during the earthquake that occurred in Baku on July 3.
Fakt Yoxla checked whether the claim about the beating of Ali Karimli and APFP activists at the rally was true.
On October 19, 2019, Ali Karimli and APFP activists were subjected to violence, and dozens of activists were detained at the rally that the National Council tried to hold in front of the 28 May metro station in Baku.
It is clear from the video and photo images that Ali Karimli and other activists were violently detained by the police.
Footage of the APFP chairman being tortured by the police while being detained during the 2019 protest (Source: VOA)
Footage of the other activists who were also subjected to violence during the action (Source: VOA)
A number of international organizations also expressed their official opinion on Ali Karimli being subjected to violence and beating in the action.
Co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee of the Council of Europe (PACE) on Azerbaijan, Stefan Shennak and Roger Gale, noted in their report on the violence that Ali Karimli was tortured and deprived of the opportunity to contact lawyers.
According to Human Rights Watch, Ali Karimli suffered multiple injuries while being beaten by the police.
The group of Social-Democrats represented in the European Parliament issued a statement saying that dozens of participants, including Ali Karimli, the leader of the APFP, were detained and beaten.
The statement released by Freedom House stated: "The brutality against Ali Karimli, whose violent detention was broadcast by local media, and Tofig Yagublu, who was said to have been tortured, clearly show that the government of Azerbaijan has rejected its obligation to protect the fundamental rights of its citizens."
In the statement released by Amnesty International, it was noted that several videos circulating on social networks show police using force against peaceful demonstrators, dragging them into police cars and sometimes beating them: "Also, opposition leader Ali Karimli said he was ill-treated by the police after his detention."
Thus, Ali Karimli and the activists were subjected to violence and beaten by the police during the action.
Fakt Yoxla concludes that the claim of the deputy is a Lie.
