N.Jafarli: repression cost the government more and more expensive

The arrest of the Executive Secretary of the REAL Movement, Natig Jafarli, was  due to the  opposition activities of the organization and criticizing the government's policies on political, economic, and social issues, said Jafarli himself in  an interview with the program Cətin sual (Difficult question)  in Turan agency.  He considers these issues "fundamental" reason for the arrest.

"REAL took an active stance against the referendum on constitutional amendments. Leaflets have been printed and this activity has disturbed the authorities," said Jafarli, recalling that in addition to him were also arrested two more activists.

As for the causes of early release, one of the reasons is the absurdity of the charges. On  these questions he was 20 times  interrogated in 2014-2015, and eventually  was fined 400 manats on  alleged tax violations. Moreover, ban  on  leaving the country for Jafarli was lifted.

"Therefore,  repeated   investigation and  court on the charges with no witnesses and  no victims is an absurd," said Jafarli. The pressure of the West and the calls of the local  society  has also  played the  role in the liberation.  The government repression against civil society cost the authorities more expensive in the face of economic problems, he said.

Jafarli has confirmed that it will continue political activities, and his arrest confirmed  loyalty to REAL’s policy. The organization is still against the referendum, but REAL did not support the rally of the National Council of Democratic Forces.

According to Jafarli, REAL’s principled position is that the Movement does not participate in the  rallies  which  it  does not organize. However, the activists of the Movement participated in the rally individually.

Intellectual potential of  REAL allows to bring the problem to a much larger audience more through social networks and media, than at the rally.

In his opinion, the vast majority of society does not know the essence of the referendum.

People are dissatisfied with the economic and social situation, but do not realize that at the core of these problems are the vices of government. "We have to explain to the authorities that the changes in the Constitution do not solve the problems of the country. To do this, it is necessary to  develop a market economy, create a competitive environment for business, and ensure the independence of courts, contribute to the strengthening of civil society," said Jafarli. 

 Being asked what will be after the referendum, he said : "There may be an early presidential, and perhaps the parliamentary elections.  There will be the new structure of the Cabinet of Ministers. I do not think that the regime would be worse than it is, because economic problems do not allow this, and the repression cost the more expensive," he said. As for himself, the criminal case against him continues.

He  is not allowed to leave the country.

"The lawsuit is ongoing; there will be a court trial, it is difficult to say what decision it will take," said Jafarli.  On Wednesday they returned his personal items - documents, car keys.

However, his computer, jewelry of his  wife that she got from her grandmother, identification  card and documents on the apartment were not returned. They returned  his foreign passport, which he cannot use because he is not allowed to leave the country.

 * Jafarli was arrested on 12  August on charges of illegal entrepreneurship and abuse of office. On September 9 the court changed the measure of restraint, and Jafarli was  freed from  custody.—06D--