National Council condemns the verdict against Jafarov demanding the release of all political prisoners

Despite protests from local and international democratic community, the Azerbaijani authorities continue the repression against civil society activists. The activists are harassed, arrested on trumped up charges, they are sentenced to large terms, reads the statement of the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF) of Azerbaijan. It was reflected in the statement on imprisonment for 6.5 years and the famous bright representative of civil society Rasul Jafarov. The prosecution offers  to sentenced to 10 years in prison another well-known human rights activist - Intigam Aliyev, despite the fact that the court did not confirm the absurd charges against him on tax evasion, abuse, illegal business, and others.

Authorities not only arrests activists, but do not give them rest in prisons.  They tighten the conditions of punishment and sent to a closed prison a journalist Araz Guliyev (editor in chief of the religious site xeber.44.com). The same  is the fate of other prisoners protesting with Guliyev.

On trumped up charges was transferred to  Gobustan closed prison  "prisoner of conscience" Thale Bagirzade. Activists  of PPFA Sagif Gurbanov, Turkel Azertyurk, and Ruslan Nasirli are  under administrative arrest after an opposition rally on April 5.

"All of the above shows that Aliyev’s regime aimed at  international isolation,  is finally losing support, in terms of increasing social and economic discontent, and uses repression to protect their chairs,"  reads  the  statement.

The NCDF continues to fight for decent conditions of life of the Azerbaijani people, protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens, the implementation of the idea of ​​"Azerbaijan has no political prisoners.

In conclusion  the NCDF again demanded that the government end repression,  and  immediate release of all political prisoners.—06D-