Committee against Repression and Torture calls on authorities to release political prisoners

Baku/15.04.20/Turan: The Committee against Repression and Torture of Azerbaijan (CPPRA), condemning the government’s extensive repression of political opponents, called on the government to release all political prisoners.

The Committee considers that the decree on clemency dated April 6, 2020 was prepared based on political discrimination, is unfair and biased: it dealt a crushing blow to the principles of state security and statehood of Azerbaijan. An example is the release of former criminals, such as former MNS generals Akif Chovdarov and Subahir Gurbanov, who were accused of bribery, corruption, unlawful seizure of property, illegal arrests and murders. The fact that the 66-year-old political prisoner Ruhullah Akhundzadeh was not pardoned during the course is an expression of this injustice and prejudice.

The committee called on the authorities to refrain from the policy of using quarantine restrictions in connection with the coronavirus pandemic against their opponents, which is the case. The names of about 30 political activists arrested, tortured since the third decade of March are given.

The statement contains suggestions regarding the nutrition and release of prisoners because of the risk of coronavirus infection. In particular, it is proposed to create conditions for the transfer of better nutrition to prisoners, as well as release non-dangerous prisoners from places of detention. —0—