Speaking after the sentencing of journalist Khadija Ismayilova on 1st September UK Minister for Europe, David Lidington, said:
“I am deeply troubled that Khadija Ismayilova has been sentenced to 7½ years. I’m concerned by reports regarding the conduct of the trial and urge the Azerbaijani authorities to review her case in a transparent and fair manner.
We call on Azerbaijan to abide by its international commitments to respect the rule of law while taking concrete steps to improve their human rights record. The UK will take every opportunity to raise concerns over human rights in Azerbaijan”, - he said.
This latest sentencing comes in the context of the ongoing imprisonment of other prominent members of Azerbaijani civil society. These include human rights defender Leyla Yunus, historian Arif Yunus, human rights lawyer Intigam Aliyev, democracy campaigner Rasul Jafarov, independent election monitor Anar Mammadli, and politicians Ilgar Mammadov and Tofiq Yaqublu. -0-
Politics
-
On November 26, the Baku Court of Appeals reviewed the appeal of human rights defender Anar Mammadli, who contested the extension of his detention. Mammadli's lawyer, Javad Javadov, stated that Mammadli argued the extension of his pre-trial detention was unfounded and linked the criminal prosecution to his human rights activities, Turan reported.
-
On November 26, a group of reserve officers from the Nakhchivan special forces held a protest near the Azerbaijani presidential administration. The protesters participated in the 44-day war and were discharged after sustaining injuries. They claim that the payments they are entitled to have not been provided.
-
On November 26, the Baku Court of Appeals heard a complaint regarding the extension of the detention of former diplomat Emin Ibrahimov. During the hearing, the investigator requested that the complaint be rejected, while Ibrahimov's lawyer, Aghil Laidj, pointed out the lack of grounds for keeping Ibrahimov in custody.
-
Arrested economist Fazil Gasimov has reportedly faced pressure after protesting the interruption of a phone call with his family on November 16. "The phone call was cut off, and Fazil demanded that the connection be restored. Then, Jalal Alizadeh, a detention center officer, along with his colleagues, forcibly removed Fazil from the phone room in the medical unit of the facility, tearing his jacket and dragging him across the floor before throwing him into a cell.
Leave a review