On May 13 the staff of the Investigation Department of the Serious Crimes of the General Prosecutor's Office raided the office of the Center for Economic Research (CER), Turan was told by the head of the CER Gubad Ibadoglu, who is currently on a business trip in the United States.
After three hours of searching, prosecutors seized computers and other media. They also seized the financial and accounting documents of the CER, the NGO Coalition for Increasing Transparency in Extractive Industries and the National Budget Group.
"This indicates that a year after the start of criminal proceedings against a number of NGOs, the investigation is still not completed. It is a new phase of pressure on civil society. I believe that this is due to my participation in the international board of Transparency Initiative in the extractive industries.
At the last board meeting in this structure Azerbaijan's status was downgraded from "permanent membership" to "candidate".
On May 14 the Center for Economic Research will publish the results of monitoring the Action Plan on Open Government Partnership. The search which was conducted the day before can be regarded as a special operation to put pressure,"- said Ibadoglu.
He noted that the sanction to date has been issued by Narimanov Court on April 17, two days after the adoption of the board of Transparency Initiative decision on lowering the status of Azerbaijan. Why did the authorities waited so long is not yet clear.
Ibadoghlu intends to appeal the search.
"I have repeatedly said that the Center led by me has been audited and its financial and economic activities are carried out in accordance with local regulations. We have always worked transparently, promptly fulfilled tax obligations," said Ibadoglu.
Ibadoglu is one of the most prominent experts in the economic sphere in Azerbaijan.
In February, he also led the new movement for democracy and prosperity, which included many representatives of the democratic community of Azerbaijan.-03B06-
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