Committee to Protect Hilal Mammadov, Demands his Release

On May 15, the Committee to protect the rights of Hilal Mamedov, the  arrested editor of "Tolyshi Sado", made a statement which denied the charges against him, and  called the lawsuit against him politically motivated.

"Hilal Mammadov is not a drug addict, as the investigation is trying to present.  He is an intellectual who has always proclaimed a healthy, moral and pure way of life to young people," the statement reads.

The charges of treason and inciting ethnic hatred are also concocted.  Authors of the statement claim as the son of Azerbaijan and Talysh people, Mammadov has always advocated for national ethnic and religious tolerance.

The statement says real reasons for Mamedov arrest, is his active civil position, courageous work defending human rights, objective and principled journalistic activities, and his promotion of national, spiritual and cultural values ​​of Talysh people.

The Committee regards his appearance in social networks and the video on the "Lankaran events  in summer 1993." as a provocation.  Hilal Mammadov was present in the videos and talks proclaiming the Talysh-Mugan Republic by Alikram Hummatov.

The statement points out that the video was edited, and Mammadov "did nothing against the Azerbaijani state", but instead, "tried to promote a solution of national and ethnic problems in the framework of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity."

The statement’s authors, in view of international attention to Mammadov’s case, call on authorities, the court and the media, to put away corporate interests, and take an objective position.

In conclusion, the Committee called on the court to make a fair decision and release Mammadov.

Mammadov was arrested on 21 June 2012 and charged with illegal possession of drugs, treason, and inciting ethnic hatred. However, local and international organizations believe Mammadov is persecuted on political motives.—06D--