The head of the US Helsinki Commission, Christopher Smith and the Commission member Roger Wicker welcomed the release of the journalist Khadija Ismayilova from prison.
"We urge the authorities to drop all charges against Ismayilova and restore the Baku bureau of Radio Liberty.
The case of Khadija is not the first use of the judicial system to suppress independent voices in Azerbaijan.
Until now, other people convicted of requirements to ensure the rule of law and norms of democracy as Ilgar Mammadov are still detained.
We welcome their courage and call on the authorities again to fulfill their obligations to the OSCE, to put an end to repression against journalists, civil society activists and religious minorities," their statement said.
Release of Ismayilova was also welcomed by the Director of the US Broadcasting Council (BBG) John Lansing, who called on to drop all the charges against the journalist and restore the Baku bureau of Radio Liberty and to stop the criminal case against employees of the radio.
Another member of the Helsinki Commission, Senator Ben Cardin in an interview with the Voice of America said the arrest of Khadija originally was unfair and called to remove all the charges against her.
"I am proud of the role played by our Senate, as well as other independent groups, in her release. All of this suggests that the overall efforts yielded results," said Cardin.
At the same time, he made it clear that the application of the Global Magnitsky law against the authorities of Azerbaijan is not excluded.
"This law is designed to have an impact on those who have violated human rights in their countries. If this happens, the international sanctions will be applied: we will not let them into our country and will not allow the use of our banking system," he said.
Another well-known Congressman, Dana Rohrabacher welcomed the release of Ismayilova and congratulated her on her birthday.
The well-known presenter of CNN TV Christiane Amanpour also joined the congratulations. -16D-
Politics
-
On the 35th birthday of Igbal Abilov, a researcher imprisoned in Azerbaijan, his colleagues and supporters organized celebratory actions in various European cities, including Vilnius, Belgrade, Warsaw, and Porto, to raise awareness about his case. The participants of these actions called for the release of Abilov, who has been recognized by human rights defenders as a political prisoner.
-
As a result of the preliminary investigation, the charge against Aziz Orujov, director of the internet TV channel Kanal 13, under Article 206.3.2 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code (smuggling committed by a group of individuals in conspiracy) has been dropped. The case has been sent to court only under Article 188.2 of the Criminal Code (unauthorized construction on land without ownership rights). This was reported to Turan by Orujov's wife, journalist Lamia Orujeva.
-
Today, the Baku Serious Crimes Court delivered a verdict in the case of public activist Ilhamiz Guliyev. The court reclassified the charges from Article 234.4.3 (illegal drug trafficking with intent to sell in large quantities) to a lighter charge under Article 234.1-1 (illegal acquisition, possession, manufacturing, processing, or transportation of narcotic substances or psychotropic substances in large quantities without the intent to distribute) of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code and sentenced the activist to three years in prison.
-
On December 12, the Union for "Freedom for Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan" published an updated list of political prisoners, which now includes the names of 331 individuals.
Leave a review