Rustam Ibrahimbayov appeals to the Supreme Court

Baku/02.09.13/Turan :  On September 2, the  head of the National Council of Democratic Forces ( NCDF), Rustam Ibrahimbayov, filed  appeal to the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan  because of the refusal of the Central Election Commission  (CEC) to approve  him as  presidential candidate, according to Ibrahimbayov’s lawyer, Fuad Agayev.

By law, the Supreme Council should consider the appeal within three days. Earlier, the Court of Appeal dismissed the complaint  of Ibrahimbayov. 

The CEC refused to approve Ibrahimbayov  as a presidential candidate in the elections on October 9 , for three reasons : because of the presence of a Russian passport , along with Azerbaijan; not presenting  a sufficient number of documents about the absence of foreign engagement; absence of  permanent residence in the territory of Azerbaijan for 10 years.

However, the Ibrahimbayov rejected all these grounds. According to his lawyer , the CEC did not see the difference between "dual citizenship" and the two nationalities.  Dual citizenship is only possible on the basis of intergovernmental agreements on mutual recognition of the two nationalities.

Ibrahimbayov presented a certificate of non-commitment to the Russian Federation.

As for the argument of the CEC that over the past 10 years Ibrahimbayov resided in the territory of Azerbaijan only 1,163 days, the lawyer explained that Ibrahimbayov  was born, studied and lived in Azerbaijan, and  his stay abroad  is because of his creative projects. –06C-