Azeri government to pay $50000 a month to a lobby group to escape US sanctions

Early this month Congressman Christopher Smith (R-N.J.), the chairman of U.S. Helsinki Commission, sent a clear message to Azerbaijan, urging Ilham Aliyev government to "let people out of prison who have committed no crime," to avoid criticism from the democratic world.

Smith recently introduced a landmark bill called "Azerbaijani Democracy Act" to the Commission. If accepted, the bill would impose visa sanctions on Azeri senior leadership amid their human rights violations.

The Aliyev government, in its response, rejects human rights violations and release of political prisoners.

Instead, it hired a leading US consultancy - Podesta Group - to help its side in a pushback against the legislation and boosting its image in Washington.

Elin Sulieymanov, the ambassador of Azerbaijan to the U.S., signed an agreement with the Podesta Group Inc., on February 1st, 2016, to ‘perform public relations services for the country,’ according to U.S. Justice Department records.

Podesta, which guarantees Azerbaijani government’s access to some of the most powerful people in Washington, will received at least $50,000 per month from the Azeri Embassy, plus expenses for the ‘additional services,’ TURAN's US corresponding reports, citing the amendment.

The "nature" of Podesta's services was described in the document as following:

* Research and analyze issues of concern to the principal;

* Counsel the principal on US. policies of concern, activities in Congress and the executive branch and developments on the U.S. political scene generally;

* Maintain contact, as necessary, with members of Congress and their staff, executive branch officials, and non-governmental organizations."

Podesta officials had no immediate comment when contacted about this report. 

The 14-page-long "Azerbaijan Democracy Act" was referred to three Congressional Committees on December 16th.

The bill currently has two co-sponsors: Congressman Joe Heck, (Republican, Nevada) and Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (Democrat, New York.)

A.Raufoglu

Washington, D.C.