Grand Chamber of ECHR Rejects Azerbaijani Government’s Complaint in Rasul Jafarov Case

The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) refused to accept the complaint of the Azerbaijani government, trying to appeal the decision in the case of the human rights activist Rasul Jafarov.

The decision of the Grand Chamber is published on the ECHR website on 5 July (http://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng-press?i=003-5428516-6798886#{%22itemid%22:[%22003-5428516-6798886%22]}).

Thus, the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the Jafarov case entered into force.

Recall, March 17, the ECHR found a violation of the rights of Rasul Jafarov under articles 5.1, 5.3 and 5.4 (right to liberty and security) of the European Convention on Human Rights. In particular, the Strasbourg court found Jafarov’s arrest unlawful, and required judicial investigation in a reasonable time, pre-trial release and legality of the trial.

The Court also found a violation of the rights of Jafarov under Article 18 (inadmissibility of the restriction of rights more than foreseen by the Convention), which means the recognition of political motives in Jafarov’s case.

ECHR decided that Jafarov should be paid compensation in the amount of 25,000 Euros and another 7,448 Euros for legal costs.

The court also decided to cancel the decision of Azerbaijani courts and to review the Jafarov case.

It is noteworthy that on the day of announcement of the decision of the ECHR Jafarov was pardoned by the Azerbaijani authorities.

Jafarov was arrested on 2 August 2014. Subsequently, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes sentenced him to 6.5 years in prison for misappropriation, tax evasion, abuse of office and others.

International organizations have recognized Jafarov a prisoner of conscience.   -03B06-