Vedant Patel
U.S. Says Has Been Following Bakhtiyar Hajiyev's Case 'Very Closely'
Washington D.C./21.04.23/Turan: The United States has been following the case of jailed activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev very closely, the State Department said on Monday.
"We have been following the case very closely, but I don’t have any updates to offer on that," Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel told a daily press briefing when responding to TURAN's questions about the prolonged detention of Hajiyev despite international calls for his release.
"I think we have continued to be very clear about our issues in which his detention took place, and we’re continuing to monitor the situation very closely," Patel added, when pressed further.
Hajiyev, a U.S.-educated prominent human rights defender, was arrested on Dec 9 on charges of "hooliganism" and "contempt of court", claims that the activist strongly rejects. Yesterday, a court in Baku prolonged his detention for another two month.
The U.S. government, as well as congressional leaders, such as Senators Dick Durbin and Ben Cardin have repetedıy urged Azerbaijan to release Hajiyev 'immediately'. Many, including even former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, have claimed that the charges against him are politically motivated. -0-
Alex Raufoglu
Politics
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At the trial of the opposition politician Tofig Yagublu, the statement of Elnur Vaqifoglu, another accused, was heard at the Baku Serious Crimes Court.
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EU Reporter sadly announces the death from natural causes this week of its Political Editor Nick Powell, whilst attending the Global Media Forum in Susha, Azerbaijan.
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The health of economist Fazil Gasimov, who is on hunger strike for the 43rd day, has deteriorated sharply. On the night of July 26, he was transferred from the Baku pre-trial detention center-1 to a medical institution of the Penitentiary Service, the economist's brother Nazim Gasimov told Turan.
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On July 26, the trial of public activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev continued in the Baku Serious Crimes Court. Three witnesses were heard. One of them said that she had once asked Hajiyev for help in obtaining a visa for a tour to the Czech Republic and had no other business with him. At the same time, the witness stressed that she did not personally transfer the money, but made a transfer for the service.
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