The Western Azerbaijan Appeal Court has replaced the eight-month prison sentence of the lower court to 24 million Rial fine against South Azerbaijani rights activists, Sumayya Alidusti, Meysem Azadi, Murtaza Zerrin, Vahid Nasibi, Gulamali Huseynguluzade and Vahid Faizpur.

On June 26 2013, many Azerbaijani activists left for Mount Sahand to attend a ceremony to commemorate the 26 of June as “International Day Against Torture Victims”. Roughly 40 activist were detained by security forces on the Urmu lake bridge. most of them were released after several hours. However, 6 activist, Sumayya Alidusti, Vahid Faizpur, Gulam Alizadeh, Meysem Azadi, Vahid Nasibi and Murtaza Zarrun were held for longer period and charged. later, the Urmia’s Criminal Court, convicted the Azerbaijani activists to 8 months in prison.

Activists were also charged with “propaganda against the Islamic Republic” but this charge was later dismissed.

The June 26 marks International Day Against Torture Victims. The UN General Assembly has announced this day to ensure the effective functioning of the Convention against torture and the suppression of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.