Azerbaijan, Baku / Тrend corr K. Zarbaliyeva / The lawsuit of Azerbaijan's former Health Minister against Justice Minister and Penitentiary Service will be considered without the participation of the plaintiff. The petition of Ex-minister's attorney, Aghaveys Shahverdi, regarding Insanov's participation in the process was rejected at Baku City Nasimi District Court, chaired by Mammad Mammadov on 29 August.
Shahverdi appealed for his client's cell to be examined. The appeal was not protested by the representative of the Penitentiary Service and the court's decision regarding the appeal will be announced on 30 August.
Insanov says the conditions of his cell do not correspond to sanitary hygiene standards. "We would like the court to visit the cell. The Civil-Procedural legislation stipulates that, in situations where the evidence cannot be presented to court, the court must become familiar with the evidence," the attorney said.
Shahverdi believes the court's postponement to announce its decision regarding the appeal is because the decision shall be made on the basis of recommendations by the Justice Ministry.
The Justice Minister, Fikrat Mammadov, is represented at the trial by the head of the sanitary department of Investigation Cell 1, Etibar Garayev, and the Penitentiary Service is represented by the deputy head of the Cell, Aghaamad Mammadov.
According to Insanov, he was tortured by the Justice Minister and the administration of the Penitentiary Service for exposing the Justice Minister's close relative, Jamil Aliyev. Insanov says he was in bail in the Investigation Cell for over 40 days and despite repeated appeals he was not provided with in-patient treatment.
Insanov was dissatisfied with his previous cell which was intended for life prisoners, as well as with his current cell which is a semi-cellar room. According to the ex-minister, he is kept in a stinking and damp cell.
Insanov was detained in October, 2005. He was accused of attempting a coup d'etat and causing mass riots. By the decision made by the Azerbaijani Court on Heinous Crimes dated 20 April, Ali Insanov was found guilty in appropriation of property and abuse of power and sentenced to 11years imprisonment.
Presently he is held in the Bail Isolation Cell 1 of the Penitentiary Service of Azerbaijan. He demands to be transferred to the Patient Care Institution of the Penitentiary Service. Medical examinations on him have proved that he suffers from a vertebral hernia.
The trial regarding the ex-minister's lawsuit will continue at Baku Court of Appeal chaired by judge Gayil Mammadov on 30 August.