Yekaterinburg: A court hearing in Yekaterinburg has resulted in a two-month pre-trial detention for Mutvali Shikhlinsky, the son of Shahin Shikhlinsky, who is the chairman of the Azerbaijani diaspora in the city. This decision follows the charges laid against him under Part 1 of Article 318 of the Russian Federation’s Criminal Code, which pertains to the use of violence against a government representative, though not life-threatening.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the Leninsky District Court of Yekaterinburg determined that Mutvali Shikhlinsky will remain in custody until September 14. The charges arise from an incident on July 1, where Shikhlinsky allegedly used a vehicle to reverse into a law enforcement officer during an arrest operation, causing the officer to fall. The court proceedings are being held behind closed doors, with the victim’s identity remaining confidential as requested by the investigator.
The arrest of Mutvali Shikhlinsky occurred following an operation targeting members of the Azerbaijani community in Yekaterinburg on June 27, and a subsequent operation on July 1 against Shahin Shikhlinsky. The vehicle driven by Mutvali was intercepted by special forces, leading to the altercation with law enforcement. The charges against him could lead to a sentence of up to five years in prison.
The case highlights ongoing tensions and law enforcement actions involving the Azerbaijani diaspora in the region. The legal proceedings are set to continue as the court evaluates the evidence presented.