Freedom House: Health of Imprisoned Rights Activist Intigam Aliyev at Risk
In response to Azerbaijani authorities’ denial of medical assistance to imprisoned human rights lawyer Intigam Aliyev, Freedom House issued the following statement:
“It is inhumane and cruel for Azerbaijani authorities to deny medical care to Aliyev, a human rights lawyer who was sentenced on trumped-up charges and while in prison has developed a spine condition that prevents him from normal movement and causes him tremendous pain,” - said Robert Herman, Freedom House Vice President for Programs.
“The shameful treatment of Aliyev is akin to the brutality inflicted on Sergei Magnitsky in Russia in 2009. We urge Azerbaijani authorities to provide Aliyev with immediate medical assistance and release him, along with all other political prisoners, who should never have gone to prison in the first place.”
*On April 22, the Baku Court on Grave Crimes sentenced Aliyev, age 52, to 7,5 years in prison on false charges of tax evasion, “illegal entrepreneurship,” and embezzlement.
Aliyev had prepared and referred more than 200 cases of political rights violations in Azerbaijan to the European Court of Human Rights from 1998 to 2014. International organizations recognize him as a political prisoner.
Azerbaijan is rated Not Free in Freedom in the World 2015, Not Free in Freedom of the Press 2015, Partly Free in Freedom on the Net 2014. -02D-
Politics
-
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova has decided to unilaterally terminate the Moldovan-Russian agreement from 1998 on the creation and operation of cultural centers.
-
By the order of the head of state, Rufat Mahmud has been appointed the new head of the historical and architectural reserve "Icheri Sheher" – the historic center of Baku.
-
On February 13, the Appeal Court did not satisfy the defense's appeal against the decision of the Khatai Court regarding the arrest of journalist Shahnaz Beylargizi. According to the lawyer, the journalist herself did not participate in the trial due to poor health. The defense intends to submit a petition to replace the arrest with house arrest.
-
Azerbaijan will limit 'Sputnik Azerbaijan' and 'BBC News Azərbaycanca' editorial offices. This was reported by the country's pro-government media on 13 February, citing an informed source.
Leave a review