Human rights activists and opposition parties in Azerbaijan have reacted angrily to a court judgement against 27 people accused of taking part in anti-government riots last November.

Five of those accused were sentenced to six years' imprisonment, with others also receiving long prison terms.

The opposition says the verdict is further evidence that the Azerbaijani authorities had no intention of honouring the commitments on human rights they have made to the international community.

Opposition parties say that those found guilty are political prisoners and that they will use all democratic means to overturn the ruling.

Three of those sentenced are the local chairmen of opposition parties.

'Intimidation'

It has never been clear exactly what happened in the northern town of Sheki last November, but the accused were charged with damaging public property and resisting arrest.

Opposition parties say those found guilty are political prisoners and that they will use all democratic means to overturn the ruling

Claire Doole

President Aliev gets tough

Their supporters argue that the court was following orders and that the heavy sentences are aimed at political intimidation.

These accusations are given added weight by a recent US State Department report which described the judiciary in Azerbaijan as corrupt, inefficient, and subject to executive influence.

European delegation

The court ruling comes at a sensitive time here following a visit by a delegation from the Council of Europe to assess compliance with commitments on human rights and political prisoners.

The delegation head reportedly challenged President Heydar Aliyev to honour a promise to release all those imprisoned for their political beliefs.

The president responded by denying that Azerbaijan had any political prisoners, but said the authorities would review some of the cases brought to their attention.

This latest verdict gives added ammunition to those who say that Council of Europe membership is helping to legitimise an autocratic government.