Azerbaijani opposition leader placed in pre-trial detention over alleged coup attempt

FILE PHOTO: Head of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan Ali Karimli and his supporters hold an unauthorized rally to demand the freedom of assembly in Baku, Azerbaijan October 19, 2019. REUTERS/Aziz Karimov/ File Photo

BAKU, Dec 1 (Reuters) - A court in Azerbaijan on Monday ordered a key opposition figure to be held in pre-trial detention until mid-February following his arrest on charges of plotting to overthrow President Ilham Aliyev.

Ali Karimli, who has led the Azerbaijani Popular Front Party since 2000, rejected the charges against him as politically motivated, his lawyer told Reuters.