The US Department of State expressed concern about the imposition of a sentence on the Azerbaijan rights defender Intigam Aliyev about his conviction to 7.5 years in prison and three-year ban to assume leadership positions. This was stated by the representative of the US Department of State Marie Harf.
"One of the most prominent human rights activists in Azerbaijan, chairman of the Legal Education Society Intigam Aliyev did much to ensure the rule of law and protection of peaceful activists. He sent hundreds of cases to the European Court of Human Rights and won many of them," said Harf.
The Department of State called on the Azerbaijani government to release Intigam Aliyev and other activists arrested for the use of the fundamental freedoms. "We also urge the Azerbaijani government to respect the commitments made in the framework of international agreements and ensure the rights of citizens," continued Harf.
In turn, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Hikmet Hajiyev said that the arrest of Aliyev was "irrelevant" to his human rights activities. According to him, "Intigam Aliyev was accused of tax evasion and other illegal activities and his committing the offense was confirmed by the court decision."
According to Hajiyev, "no one is arrested for his professional activities or political affiliation in Azerbaijan." "Apparently, unlike other countries, the US Department of State with great attention keeps track of every judgment in Azerbaijan. If it goes on, we can expect attitude from the US Department of State to every criminal case in Azerbaijan," said Hajiyev.
A week earlier, the Department of State also condemned the conviction of another well-known human rights activist Rasul Jafarov.
Trials on Aliyev and Jafarov were tracked by representatives of the Embassies of the US, the EU and a number of European countries. The sentences on these cases have been criticized by international human rights organizations. According to Amnesty International, at least 20 “prisoners of conscience” are languishing in prisons of Azerbaijan. -03D06-
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