Prepared Protest in Defense of Azadxeber.org Editor

The criminal case against the editor of the site azadxeber.org Nijat Aliyev is fabricated and politically motivated and he is being persecuted for freedom of expression, and the prosecutor's appeal to deprive him of liberty for 10 years is too severe. This was the leitmotif of the overall performances of today's roundtable in IRFS organized by the Committee for the Protection of N. Aliyev's Rights.

Recall that the editor of this religious site was charged under articles 234.1 (illegal drug possession), 167-2.2.1 (distribution of religious literature by a group of persons), 281.2 (public calls for the violent seizure of power and the constitutional order) and 283.2.2 (incitement of national, racial or religious hatred).

The lawyer Yalcin Imanov said the true reason for the arrest of Aliyev is his publishing criticism of religious leaders about violations of religious rights, and the ban on headscarves in schools.

Initially, he was charged under Article 234.1.and was forced to make a confession under torture in the 27th police station of the Yasamal district (he lost two teeth and had an eardrum torn).

The investigation incriminates Aliyev possession of the book "The miracle without a miracle," which is banned literature, although it says on the methods of disease control.

False is also the prosecution of inciting ethnic hatred, as the investigation does not specify a fact like that in the case.

Aliyev just published criticism of the ban on wearing the hijab by other religious leaders - Abgyul Suleymanov, and Zulfugar Zulfugarly. It is interesting that the authors of these publications got less imprisonment terms than Aliyev.

The charge stems from a video circulated on the eve of Eurovision, which also contains statements of scholars and theologians from an interview with local television channels.

The defendants were accused of activities in an organized group, although many of them do not even know each other.

The lawyer is of the view that there is no independent judiciary, so you should expect a guilty verdict to all the defendants.

The Head of the Centre for Protection of Freedom of Conscience and Religion (DEVAMM) Ilgar Ibrahimoglu drew attention to the tightening of repression against the believers.

This policy undermines the claim that Azerbaijan is a model of tolerance and multiculturalism. Ibrahimoglu pointed to the politics of division of society into believers and non-believers. He criticized the civil society of indifference to violations of the rights of believers. According to him, the society should consolidate their efforts in the fight against human rights violations, as the power is waging a campaign against dissent in general.

The Turan Agency Director Mehman Aliyev told Turan of the falsity of government policies on tolerance and multiculturalism. The authorities have some interest - to become rich, harass and oppress. This policy is failing, the crisis in the country intensified and the way out they see it in the future intensification of repression, he said.

A member of the Committee for the Protection of Aliyev's Rights, an employee of Azadxeber.org Parvin Zeynal reported on the planned steps for the protection of the rights of Aliyev. Thus, it is proposed to hold a protest at the next meeting of the court on November 7 at 10.30. It is proposed to put on a shirt with the call of freedom for Aliyev.

In the event of a conviction, they will begin a hunger strike in the editorial of the website Azadxeber.org.

Recall that Aliyev and 9 other believers were brought to trial in May 2012, on the eve of Eurovision. They were accused of distributing leaflets and DVDs critical of the authorities' policy in Azerbaijan. -06D-