Mother Of Azerbaijani Citizen Detained In Russia Claims Son Tortured, Forced To Speak Against Azerbaijan

(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 21. The mother of Azerbaijani citizen Yadulla Ramiz oglu Rufullayev, who was detained by Russian law enforcement authorities, has said that her son was unjustly detained and subjected to severe torture and psychological pressure by Russian investigators.

Aliya Rufullayeva told Trend that her son had been working as a truck driver to support his three children. She said Russian authorities had brought what she described as fabricated charges against him under Article 276.1 of the Russian Criminal Code (espionage), which she said were not supported by any evidence.

“My son's truck passed customs control without any problems and was cleared to return to Azerbaijan. However, Russian law enforcement authorities took advantage of the fact that he does not speak Russian and forced him to sign false documents. He has been unlawfully detained for one year and one month. During the investigation, Russian investigators put a bag over his head, taped his mouth shut and tortured him with electric shocks for hours. The Russian side is forcing him to give statements slandering the Azerbaijani state. My son has rejected these unlawful demands by Russian authorities, saying: 'I would rather spend 20 years in prison than betray my state,'” she said.

The mother noted that Yadulla Rufullayev is the sole breadwinner of the family and that the family is facing difficult social conditions. She also claimed that the state-appointed lawyers provided by the Russian side had acted in a biased and inactive manner.

Another court hearing in the case is expected to take place on August 31.

Official appeals regarding the matter have been submitted to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Russia, the Office of the Ombudsman and other relevant state bodies.

Rufullayeva said her son had faced what she described as arbitrary treatment and discrimination by Russia because he is an Azerbaijani citizen, and appealed for state support to protect his rights and secure his release.

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