The human rights organization Human Rights Watch issued a statement on Monday, which says the use by the Azerbaijani authorities of trumped-up charges of drug possession, to silence political activists.
In particular, the statement indicated the criminal case against four activists, who criticized the government - three of them were subjected to physical pressure during police custody.
"In fact, criminal charges against activists, who criticize the government, is not a new phenomenon in Azerbaijan. However, recent events are an integral part of the growing pressure on government critics ahead of the presidential election. The arrests and beatings are a strong signal," said HRW senior expert on the South Caucasus Giorgi Gogia.
HRW called on the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately launch an impartial investigation into the ill-treatment in places of detention and to release the detained activists.
Over the past two years the government of Azerbaijan has arrested dozens of activists, journalists and human rights activists on dubious charges not based on any evidence. Against them, they put forward various charges, including illegal possession of weapons, disorderly conduct and disturbing peace.
In the period from August 2011 to May 2012, on trumped-up charges of drug possession there were arrested at least five journalists and human rights defenders.
HRW has collected detailed information on the four recently arrested activists from their lawyers and parents. This is a 31 year old blogger Rashad Ramazanov (Reshad Hagigat Agaaddin), 29-year-old theologian Taleh Bagirov, 22-year-old youth activist of PPFA Dashgin Melikov and 21-year-old activist of NIDA Mahammad Azizov.
Despite the advancement of charges of drug possession, the police questioned them about politics. After the detention the accused were not given a meeting with their lawyers and physical pressure was exerted on them.
Attached to the application is information about the details of inhuman treatment of detainees, made up from the words of their lawyers and relatives. -06D -
Politics
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Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence that the visit of the President of Somalia to Baku "will open a new page in the close friendly relations" between the two countries. In a press statement after the negotiations, Aliyev noted that the leaders of both countries discussed the geopolitical situation in their regions and confirmed mutual support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan and Somalia, as well as a common stance in the fight against terrorism and extremism.
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Russia is not discussing the possibility of delivering Azerbaijani gas to the EU through Ukraine's gas transportation system, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated on Wednesday. "It is not being discussed," he said.
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On February 12, the Baku Appeals Court rejected the appeal to transfer journalist Ramin Djebrailzade (Deko) to house arrest, according to his lawyer Nemat Kerimli. The defense considers this decision unjustified, as no investigative actions have been conducted regarding Deko, who was arrested in connection with the Meydan TV case. The journalist denies the charge of currency smuggling. Representatives of the investigating authorities were unavailable for comment.
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The "Union for the Freedom of Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan" has published an updated list of political prisoners, which includes 357 names. Compared to the previous list from December 12 last year, the number of political prisoners has increased by 26 individuals. Among them are journalists Farid Ismayilov, Shamshad Agha, Shahnaz Beylergizi, and 13 arrested during the unrest in Imishli, among others.
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