Two More Azerbaijani Activists Face Weapons Charges

A court in Baku has ordered that two members of the Nida citizens' movement be held for up to three months in pretrial detention.

Rashadat Akhundov and Uzeyir Mammadli face charges of illegal weapons possession and up to eight years in prison if found guilty.

The arrests have increased the number of Nida members in detention to six.

Four other Nida activists were arrested for alleged possession of illegal drugs and weapons before a March 10 protest over the noncombat deaths of conscripts in the Azerbaijani army.

Police violently dispersed the demonstration.

The Nida organization has described the detentions of its activists as being politically motivated.