Azerbaijan Alleged Plotters To Remain In Detention

(RFE/RL) 13 January 2006 -- A Baku district court today ruled that two former Azerbaijani cabinet ministers accused of seeking to overthrow the government will remain in jail for another four months pending their trial.

Economic Development Minister Farhad Aliyev and Health Minister Ali Insanov were sacked and arrested in October on charges of plotting with other officials and exiled opposition leader Rasul Quliyev to trigger a revolution ahead of the 6 November parliamentary elections.

Both Aliyev and Insanov have denied the accusations brought against them. Quliyev has described the charges as "fairy tales."

Lawyers and relatives say the health of Aliyev and Insanov has deteriorated since their arrest.

(Turan)