U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following in response to sentencing of civil society activists in Azerbaijan.
Senator Cardin has been an outspoken critic of the Azerbaijani government’s crackdown on civil society. Most recently, he called on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to halt human rights abuses, respect the freedom of the press, and allow the reopening of Radio Free Europe.
“I am deeply disturbed by today’s verdict against Leyla and Arif Yunus. They have worked tirelessly over many years to peacefully bring about democratic change in Azerbaijan and they have endured just as many years of harassment by the government.
Today as we condemn the harsh prison sentences they are facing, we also celebrate their strength and spirit of endurance and hope that it serves as an inspiration to others. I will continue to push for the restoration of the rule of law in Azerbaijan and the release of Leyla and Arif Yunus.” -02D-
Politics
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Extradition of the head of Azel TV website Afgan Sadygov from Georgia to Azerbaijan has been suspended for a week by the European Court of Human Rights. Tamta Mikeladze, the head of the Georgian Centre for Social Justice, which provides legal protection for Sadygov, wrote about it in facebook.
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A candidate in the municipal elections for the 23rd Nasimi-Sabail electoral district, activist Djamila Alisheva, has reported administrative barriers in conducting her campaign. She claims that the district election commission is refusing to provide the necessary forms for her authorized representatives.
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On January 15, the Tbilisi Court of Appeals rejected the appeal of Afghan Sadigov, the founder of the Azel TV website, who had protested his extradition to Azerbaijan. Sadigov’s wife, Sevinj Sadigova, stated that this was the final judicial instance in Georgia making a decision on the case, Turan reported. On the other hand, lawyer Mariam Kvelashvili informed Turan that the defense would continue legal steps to prevent the extradition of Afghan Sadigov. According to his wife, Afghan has been on hunger strike for 117 days, and his health is critical.
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Jamil Hajiyev, a member of the National Council of Democratic Forces, has reported continued pressure from the police. On January 10, during the trial of opposition figure Tofig Yagublu at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, Hajiyev unfurled a banner reading "Freedom for Political Prisoners!"
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