The Council of Europe called on Azerbaijan to "finally decide"

Baku / 13.09.17 / Turan: Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland called for an "unprecedented legal action" against Azerbaijan for refusing to release a political prisoner despite the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR),reported RadioAzadlig with reference to the British "The Guardian". Jagland is referring to the case of IlgarMammadov, leader of the Republican Alternative movement, convicted in Azerbaijan in 2013 on charges of organizing mass riots. However, as the judges of the ECHR decided, Mammadov was convicted for criticizing the Azerbaijani government, which now refuses to release him. On September 13, at a meeting of the ambassadors of the countries of the Council of Europe, Jagland called for the application of a legal procedure against Azerbaijan for failing to implement the ECHR decision. This would be an unprecedented step in the 68-year history of the Council of Europe. This is Article 46.4 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the application of which, of course, can lead to the exclusion of Azerbaijan from the Council of Europe. For, following the adoption of such a decision, the ECtHR may call for action by the Committee of Ministers (Foreign Affairs) of the Council of Europe. "We cannot allow political prisoners in Azerbaijan. And we cannot allow Azerbaijan to continue depriving Mammadov of freedom despite the decision of the highest court of law," Jagland said in a statement to The Guardian. Azerbaijan as a member of the Council of Europe must think well about its obligations and finally decide whether it respected them or not,"the Secretary General of the Council of Europe said. -06D--