Civil society activists called for the release of Bakhtiyar Hajiyev

Baku/20.12.22/Turan: A group of civil society representatives of Azerbaijan expressed deep concern about the hunger strike in the pre-trial detention center of public activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, who was arrested on charges of hooliganism and contempt of court. “The arrest of Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, although he is a victim, seems like a violation of the law and rights. There was an opinion that Hajiyev's arrest was politically motivated. As a sign of protest this unfair decision, Hajiyev began an indefinite hunger strike, which endangers his health,” the country's civil society activists said in a statement.

In the context of increased international attention to Azerbaijan due to the conflict with Armenia, and against the backdrop of deteriorating relations with Iran, steps to increase internal tension are contrary to national interests. "We believe that the main source of domestic political tension is the imprisonment of innocent people for the purpose of political pressure on them," the authors of the statement believe.

The authors call on Hajiyev to end his hunger strike and the government to reverse the unjust decision against him.

The appeal was signed by: Nasimi Mammadli, Khalid Agaliyev, Mehman Aliyev, Alasgar Ahmedoglu, Kamran Mahmudov, Rovshan Agayev, Azer Mehdiyev, Seymur Kazimov, Namig Abdullayev, and Ilham Huseynli. --06B--