Azerbaijan opposition member sentenced to 30 days in detention

Kanan Ismayil

An activist from Azerbaijan's main opposition party has been sentenced to 30 days in administrative detention after being arrested by police in Baku.

Kanan Ismayil, a member of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (AXCP) in the capital's Khatai district, was taken to Nizami District Court following his arrest, the party said.

The court sentenced Mr Ismayil on charges of disobeying lawful police orders and resisting arrest, according to AXCP.

Mr Ismayil's response to the allegations was not immediately made public.

AXCP says more than 15 of its members, including senior figures, are currently imprisoned on what it describes as politically motivated charges.

Human rights organisations estimate there are currently 328 political prisoners in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani officials reject allegations that people are detained for political reasons, maintaining that those listed by rights groups were prosecuted for specific criminal offences.