Civil Society Demands to Stop the Practice of Abductions and Repression

Baku / 05.04.18 / Turan: A large group of representatives of civil society expressed indignation at the detention of lawyer Emin Aslanov (Aslan). The appeal notes that Aslanov, a graduate of the law faculty of Syracuse University (USA), was detained on June 4 in front of the "Park-Bulvar" Mall. Three people in civilian clothes, without explanations, took Aslanov by a car with license plates "90 XG 017", and drove away in an unknown direction.

This was immediately reported to the service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. However, despite the fact that the day has passed, it remains unknown who detained him and where he being kept. Despite the relatives of Aslanov signed an agreement with lawyer Elchin Sadigov, he cannot begin his duties.

Calls of the lawyer and Aslanov"s relatives to the law enforcement structures, including the hotline of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, remain unanswered. According to information from social networks, this car belongs to the employee of the Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The authors of the appeal also point out that Aslanov worked as a lawyer in a number of organizations, participated in the preparation of complaints to the European Court of Human Rights. He got masters degree in the USA, and returned to Baku only four days ago.

Activists express extreme concern over the increasing repression are outraged by the shameful practice of kidnapping civil society representatives on the streets, concealing their places of detention, their physical and moral torture and arrest in closed trials on trumped-up charges.

The authors demand from the law enforcement bodies to immediately inform relatives about the place of detention of Aslanov and admit to him a lawyer.

"We know Emin Aslanov as a professional lawyer and a worthy representative of youth and declare with full responsibility that he did not commit any crime," the authors write.

They believe that behind the arrest are political motives related to his professional and social activities.

The authors also call on to join as many lawyers as possible to Aslanov's defense, and demand to stop politically motivated arrests.

Approximately 130 activists, human rights activists, journalists, bloggers signed appeals.

Among them are human rights activists Intigam Aliyev, Anar Mammadli, Rasul Jafarov, Samir Kazymly, Bashir Suleymanly, Ogtay Gulaliyev, journalist Khadija Ismayilova, Rovshan Hajibeyli, Shahveled Ciobanoglu, politicians Isa Gambar, Jamil Hasanli, Elman Fattah, lawyers Erkin Gadirli, Annagi Hajibeyli, Alaif Hasanov and others. -0-