Azeri court jails two for provoking Ismayilli riots

Two men have been sentenced in Azerbaijan's northern city of Saki in a high-profile mass disorder case.A court sentenced Emil Samsaddinov to 9 and 1/2 years and Elmaddin Mammadov to three years in jail for provoking a brawl that led to mass protests in the town of Ismayilli in January.Thousands of Ismayilli residents rioted to demand the resignation of the district governor, setting fire to his residence, cars, and a local motel he reportedly owned.Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters.

Two opposition leaders, Ilqar Mammadov, the head of the Republican Alternative movement, and Tofiq Yaqublu, deputy head of the Musavat (Equality) party, as well as 16 other people charged with organizing and taking part in the mass disorder are being tried separately.

ANN.Az