UN Structure Calls for Release of Huseyn Abdullayev

Baku / 10.10.20 / Turan: The UN Working Group on Unjustified Arrests called on the Azerbaijani government to release the former deputy and businessman Huseyn Abdullayev.

Abdullayev's lawyer Javad Javadov told Turan about this.

According to him, the conclusion of the Working Group on Unjustified arrests was approved at the 88th session of this structure, held on August 24-28.

His detention in Turkey, his delivery to Azerbaijan, his arrest and conviction to prison terms were declared illegal, and the immediate release of Abdullayev was deemed necessary.

"The government should respect this decision and use the opportunity to release him on October 14 at the consideration of Huseyn Abdullayev's cassation appeal in the Supreme Court," the lawyer said.

According to him, the decision of the Working Group indicates the need to improve the situation and restore the rights of Abdullayev in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights.

Paragraph 114 of the document indicates the need to release Abdullayev and pay compensation to him by the governments of Azerbaijan and Turkey.

The UN structure calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to also take into account the threats of keeping Abdullayev in jail amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, the document notes the need for the authorities of Azerbaijan and Turkey to investigate violations of Abdullayev's rights and take measures against those responsible for this.

“Our state justly demands the implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions in connection with the aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan. But our government must also respect the decisions of the UN, abide by them in order to demand the same from the United Nations,” the lawyer said.

** Huseyn Abdullaev, being a native of the Nakhchivan region, in the 1990s held leading positions in the oil and oil products business. In 2005, Abdullayev became a member of parliament and criticized the activities of the Cabinet of Ministers. In March 2007, at a parliamentary meeting, pro-government deputy Fazail Agamaly provoked Abdullayev into a fight.

However, only Abdullayev was punished. He was first arrested and later sentenced for hooliganism to 2 years of probation.

In 2013 he emigrated from Azerbaijan. Some time later, a criminal case was brought against him on tax charges.

While living in Germany, Abdullaev prepared and published a number of songs calling for mass protests on the social network.

On April 22, 2018, Abdullayev was detained in Turkey, where he arrived from Germany, and extradited to Azerbaijan.

In Baku he was accused under Art. 192.2.2 (illegal business with the extraction of large income), 178.2.1 (fraud), 178.2.2, 178.2.4 (fraud), 182.2.1 (extortion by threats by prior conspiracy of persons), 182.2.2 (the same actions repeated) and 182.2.4 (the same actions committed with inflicting large damage on the victim) of the Criminal Code.

On February 1, the mother of the accused, Zeynab Abdullayeva, appealed to President Ilham Aliyev with a request to show humanism and mercy towards her son. She asked to take into account her advanced age and serious health problems of Abdullayev himself.

However, Abdullayev was sentenced to 6 years in prison.

In June, Abdullayev himself appealed to the President with a request to ensure an objective examination of his case in the Supreme Court.    -06D