London and Brussels Condemn Natig Jafarli’s Arrest

The British Foreign Office Minister is concerned about the arrest of an Azerbaijani politician. According to the statement, a number of political activists, including Natig Jafarli, have been arrested in Azerbaijan in recent days.

On 12 August 2016 the Executive Secretary of the Republican Alternative Movement (REAL) Natig Jafarli was sentenced to four months of pre-trial detention on questionable charges of illegal entrepreneurship and the abuse of official power. A number of other political activists have also been arrested over the last few days.

The Minister for Europe and the Americas, Sir Alan Duncan, said:

‘I am concerned by the recent arrests of a number of political opposition figures, including Republican Alternative Movement (REAL) Executive Secretary Natig Jafarli.

I call on Azerbaijan to abide by its international commitments, and to improve its record, on human rights and the rule of law.’

The statement by the Spokesperson for the EU Representative on Foreign Policy Federica Mogherini on the arrest of Natig Jafarli in Azerbaijan reads as follows:

‘The arrest of Natig Jafarli, the Executive Secretary of the REAL party in Azerbaijan, comes just six weeks ahead of the referendum on constitutional amendments that his party opposes and campaigns against. His arrest and placement into pre-trial detention of four months come on top of worrying reports of additional arrests of people involved in campaigning.

In the constitutional referendum of 26 September, the people of Azerbaijan are due to vote on changes to the legal framework for the political administration of the country. The debate leading to it should be inclusive and pluralistic. Seeking an opinion on the changes by expert institutions, such as the Venice Commission, is also crucial.’     -16D-