On 13 August, 2015 an Azerbaijani court has sentenced human rights defender Leyla Yunus and historian Arif Yunus to 8.5 years and 7 years respectively, following questionable allegations of tax evasion, illegal business activity, fraud and forgery. Commenting on the judgment, Minister for Europe, David Lidington, said:
“I am deeply troubled by the sentencing handed down to Leyla and Arif Yunus. A number of aspects of the conduct of the trial reinforced the impression that the verdict was politically motivated. These included restrictions on diplomats and other observers accessing the court room. The apparent deterioration of Leyla and Arif’s health during the past year in pre-trial detention is also particularly worrying.
We regularly raise concerns over Azerbaijan’s poor human rights record and will continue to pay close attention to developments in this area. We will also look for further opportunities to urge Azerbaijan to abide by its international commitments and respect the rule of law, while taking concrete steps to improve the human rights situation in the country.
This latest sentencing comes in the context of the ongoing imprisonment of other prominent members of Azerbaijani civil society. These include journalist Khadija Ismayilova, human rights lawyer Intigam Aliyev, and democracy campaigner Rasul Jafarov. Of additional concern are allegations that politician Ilgar Mammadov was subject to ill-treatment while in detention”. -16D-
Politics
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A candidate in the municipal elections for the 23rd Nasimi-Sabail electoral district, activist Djamila Alisheva, has reported administrative barriers in conducting her campaign. She claims that the district election commission is refusing to provide the necessary forms for her authorized representatives.
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On January 15, the Tbilisi Court of Appeals rejected the appeal of Afghan Sadigov, the founder of the Azel TV website, who had protested his extradition to Azerbaijan. Sadigov’s wife, Sevinj Sadigova, stated that this was the final judicial instance in Georgia making a decision on the case, Turan reported. On the other hand, lawyer Mariam Kvelashvili informed Turan that the defense would continue legal steps to prevent the extradition of Afghan Sadigov. According to his wife, Afghan has been on hunger strike for 117 days, and his health is critical.
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Jamil Hajiyev, a member of the National Council of Democratic Forces, has reported continued pressure from the police. On January 10, during the trial of opposition figure Tofig Yagublu at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, Hajiyev unfurled a banner reading "Freedom for Political Prisoners!"
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On January 15, the Yasamal District Court rejected the motion to change the detention measure for Azer Gasymly, the director of the Institute of Political Management, his lawyer, Agyl Laidj, to Turan. "Azer Gasymly stated during the trial that the charges against him were fabricated and related to his socio-political activities," the lawyer said. An appeal will be filed against the court's decision.
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