Russian court extends detention of Azerbaijani diaspora leader Shakhin Shikhlinsky

 A court in Yekaterinburg has extended the pre-trial detention of Shakhin Shikhlinsky, head of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Russia’s Sverdlovsk region, until Dec. 30, Russian media reported on Tuesday.

The court earlier prolonged the detention of his son, Mutvaly, who faces charges of assaulting a law enforcement officer, until Dec. 14.

Shikhlinsky was arrested in early August. He has been charged with attempted murder and using violence against a special forces officer, allegations he denies.