Union for Freedom of Political Prisoners Condemns Detention of Ali Kerimli and Other Opposition Activists

Baku / 18.11.18 / Turan: The Union for Freedom of Political Prisoners (UFPP) strongly condemned police interference with representatives of the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF) and the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) on the Alley of Martyrs on November 17.

The UFPP considers illegal the mass detentions of participants in the event, bringing to administrative responsibility the leader of the PFPA Ali Karimli and groups of other activists. They are charged with an offense under Articles 513.1 and 513.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, which provide for punishment for organizing and participating in unauthorized meetings.

"The UFPP strongly condemns the illegal actions of the authorities and regards them as a violation of fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights and Freedoms," said Elshan Hasanov, the coordinator of the organization.

The UFPP urged the authorities to immediately release Ali Kerimli and other activists.

* The UFPP was established in November of this year by the head of the Center for Monitoring Political Prisoners Elshan Hasanov, the Director of the Institute for Peace and Democracy Leyla Yunus, the Chairman of the Union of Intellectuals of Azerbaijan Eldaniz Guliyev and the Chief Editor of the Tolyshy Sado newspaper Hilal Mammadov.